Sweden’s Ministry of Finance is conducting an investigation into the rules governing party political lotteries, after critics have said the current rules discourage transparency in political funding, SBC News reported June 22.
Finansdepartementet says its inquiry, which will be led by Gunnar Larsson, a former consumer ombudsman and director general of the Swedish Consumer Agency, will zoom in on “options to tighten party political lottery rules, strengthen consumer protections, and consider whether to grant licenses for such lotteries.” Party lotteries are exempt from credit card bans, bonus restrictions and the gambling tax that applies to other types of lotteries.
Larsson must publish his findings by February 29, 2024.
According to the Ministry, “several parties in the Riksdag conduct lottery activities, which has attracted criticism in public debate.”
The inquiry will look at the rules that apply to such lotteries, and opine on whether they are suitable, and will offer possible regulatory changes.
The goal, said the ministry, is to maintain a “high level of trust in the political system.”
The probe will only examine lotteries used to fund political parties. It won’t look at charitable, social, artistic and cultural lotteries.
Finansdepartementet declared, “Transparency about party funding strengthens democracy. Everyone should be able to have good insight into how party political activities are financed, and feel secure that parties operate on equal terms.”
