SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Swedish gambling operator Svenska Spel has continued its commitment to youth sports across Sweden after donating more than SEK50m (£4m) as part of its Gräsroten initiative.
The donation marks the seventh consecutive year that the operator has supported grassroots sports across the country, with football having received the most money. In total, over half a million Swedes have distributed the money to 8,556 associations across 71 sports.
“Svenska Spels Gräsroten makes a real difference for sports associations in the country,” says Stefan Bergh, the Swedish Sports Federation’s general secretary, who made a donation to Piteå IF via the Gräsroten initiative.
“Through their unremitting commitment, the associations are able to handle a lot themselves, but thanks to the Grassroots, they can do that extra that helps the sports family continue to grow as more children and young people get moving.”
Among associations, Swedish football team Hammarby IF receives the highest level of donations, having received SEK 1.6m to date. They are closely followed by Allsvenskan side Djurgårdens IF FF which has received SEK1.3m and AIK FF with SEK1.25m.
“We at Svenska Spel always look forward to this time of year, when we, through the Gräsroten, distribute more than SEK 50 million to youth sports,” added Patrik Hofbauer, CEO of Svenska Spel. “Enabling more children and young people to become part of the Swedish sports family and get moving is incredibly important. Grass root sports is one of the initiatives we strive to support.”
By county, Stockholm receives the most money, having received SEK10.2m followed by Västra Götaland at SEK9.3m and Skåne at SEK8.3m.
