S-Lottery Accused - Pressuring Confused Elderly

The Social Democrats' lottery targets confused elderly people, shows an investigation from Dagens Nyheter. The sellers are encouraged to be aggressive and the company behind has been reported several times to the Consumer Agency.

» Updated:

» Published:

S-Lottery Accused - Pressuring Confused Elderly
Photo: Mickan Mörk/TT

Share this article

We can't just lay back, you have to push, push, push until the customer buys or clicks.

This is what a former employee at the telemarketing company Effective Communication says, which has been selling lottery tickets for Kombispel, the Social Democratic Party's lottery company, since 2022.

It was 98 percent elderly people they sold to. It was seen as easier since they're not part of the "game", says the person to DN.

The only exception to break off the conversation was if the customer said they were demented or had a guardian, according to the former employee.

Reported 28 times

DN has been in contact with several former sellers who claim that they sold lottery tickets to people who likely didn't understand the terms of purchase, such as that lottery subscriptions need to be cancelled. The employees describe the sales methods as "harassment".

Since May 2022, Kombispel has been reported 28 times to the Consumer Agency, and 18 of these cases concern telephone sales. Several cases involve people with dementia who claim they didn't understand what they bought.

"Now they've called her again and sold her a lottery ticket", states a complaint from a relative.

The Gaming Inspectorate is responsible for ensuring that lotteries and other gaming activities are conducted legally, safely, and reliably. According to My Hamrén, press officer at the authority, the case remains a matter for the Consumer Agency for now.

If they find that they have failed, we have our tools regarding sanctions and warnings. But investigation-wise, it's them who are the experts and have the responsibility.

Pauses lottery sales

The Social Democratic Party's group leader Lena Hallengren announced on Thursday that the telemarketing company's lottery sales will be paused. How long the stop will last is still unclear.

We need to get to the bottom of these methods that the telemarketing company is using and see if the allegations are true, she says to TT.

Jonas Lindholm, CEO of A-lotterierna and Kombispel, writes to DN that he is shocked by the allegations: "We will of course get to the bottom of this".

In 2023, the lottery business gave 9.8 million kronor to the Social Democratic Party's party funds and 6.3 million to SSU.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Conscripts Criticize New Compensation Increase as Insufficient

Conscripts Criticize New Compensation Increase as Insufficient

Smartphone Use May Benefit Cognitive Health for Those Over 50

Smartphone Use May Benefit Cognitive Health for Those Over 50

Clear-Cutting Linked to Increased Flood Risk in Västernorrland

Clear-Cutting Linked to Increased Flood Risk in Västernorrland

Water Restored in Solna and Sundbyberg After Leak

Water Restored in Solna and Sundbyberg After Leak

Suspected Dangerous Object Found in Stockholm Prompts Investigation

Suspected Dangerous Object Found in Stockholm Prompts Investigation

Man Stabbed to Avoid Military Service Fined Along with Accomplice

Man Stabbed to Avoid Military Service Fined Along with Accomplice

Psilocybin from Mushrooms Tested for Anorexia Treatment in Pilot Study

Psilocybin from Mushrooms Tested for Anorexia Treatment in Pilot Study

Kramfors Residents Urged to Boil Drinking Water Due to Contamination

Kramfors Residents Urged to Boil Drinking Water Due to Contamination

Uddevalla Municipality Files Police Report on Home Care Service Issues

Uddevalla Municipality Files Police Report on Home Care Service Issues

Girl in Bålsta Suspected of Planning School Murder

Girl in Bålsta Suspected of Planning School Murder

Seven Detained in Major Raid on Waterpipe Tobacco Tax Evasion Network

Seven Detained in Major Raid on Waterpipe Tobacco Tax Evasion Network

Police Confident in Reversing Gang Violence Trend

Police Confident in Reversing Gang Violence Trend

Three Swedes Arrested in Portugal for Elderly Fraud Scheme

Three Swedes Arrested in Portugal for Elderly Fraud Scheme

Sweden Boosts Civil Defense Budget by 3 Billion Kronor

Sweden Boosts Civil Defense Budget by 3 Billion Kronor

Four Sentenced to Prison for Taking Girl Abroad Against Her Will

Four Sentenced to Prison for Taking Girl Abroad Against Her Will

Protest Near Stockholm Jewish School Targets Israeli Soldier

Protest Near Stockholm Jewish School Targets Israeli Soldier

Opposition Parties Blocked from Summoning Migration Minister to Committee

Opposition Parties Blocked from Summoning Migration Minister to Committee

Decent Jeans Now Permitted in Parliament Dress Code Update

Decent Jeans Now Permitted in Parliament Dress Code Update

Hungary Responds to Kristersson's Criticism: Sweden Is Also Lying

Hungary Responds to Kristersson's Criticism: Sweden Is Also Lying

Live Hand Grenade Found in Malmö's Hyllie District

Live Hand Grenade Found in Malmö's Hyllie District