At the beginning of March, the government announced that it is considering several tightening of the conditions for party-based lotteries – among other things, lotteries must no longer be bought on credit and sales must be subject to gambling tax.
In the past, party lotteries have been exempt from tax regulations.
The reforms are expected to hit hard against the opposition party Social Democrats, which finances a large part of its activities by selling lottery tickets. The party’s income is expected to decrease by SEK 25 million per year.
This is stated by party secretary Tobias Baudin (S). He refers to the government’s investigation proposing a tax of 22 percent of net income.
– That means approximately 25 million, i.e. the same as we get in profit today. So should the government proceed with the proposal, we will go from 25 million to zero overnight, says Tobias Baudin to GP.
Opening for revenge
The Social Democrats have previously reacted strongly to the Tidö parties’ handling of party political lotteries.
S leader Magdalena Andersson accuses the government and SD of trying to “silence the opposition” and dismantle Swedish democracy.
– It’s about silencing the voice of the opposition, she said in an interview with SVT.
Tobias Baudin shares the party leader’s criticism.
– It opens a dangerous path, he tells GP and notes that the Social Democrats may feel compelled to respond.
Baudin does not close the door on a revenge action.
– If we come to power in the next term, which I hope we do, there will be demands and pressure from within our party that we do various things that make it hell for the Moderates and the Sweden Democrats. There are certainly things one could do.
The Prime Minister: There are many reasons
The government emphasizes that the proposal for stricter requirements for party political lotteries is not about cutting off the Social Democrats’ funding.
– We have always been skeptical of the party lotteries for quite a few reasons. In the light of discussions about party funding and transparency, but also in the light of everything we know about the risks of gambling addiction, I think there are strong reasons that the parties should not be financed in that particular way, said Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) to Aftonbladet when the proposal was presented .
– It is an old position we have had and now we are discussing what the investigation should look like that looks over the rules and questions whether the parties should have lotteries, he added.
However, SD leader Tobias Andersson has expressed himself differently.
– We give in to the corrupt system that the Social Democrats have rigged for themselves. It will be a poorer May Day train for the Norwegians, he emphasized in an interview with DN.
Photo: Ninni Andersson Government Offices and Martin Arvebro
Text: The editors
