State-owned operator Svenska Spel has successfully concluded a comprehensive training program focused on integrity and gambling awareness for the HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden’s second-highest ice hockey league.
The initiative, which took place digitally throughout October and November, was designed to educate players, coaches, and staff on the critical issues of match-fixing and gambling-related harm. This external effort follows a similar internal training drive conducted by Svenska Spel for its own staff in late 2025.
The primary objective of the sessions was to strengthen the sport’s defenses against manipulation. While Swedish ice hockey has historically seen limited incidents of match-fixing, the training emphasized that vigilance is key. Instructors provided teams with the knowledge needed to identify unusual situations or suspicious behavior and clarified the correct channels for reporting such concerns.
This preventative approach is part of a broader cooperation between sports bodies and authorities to ensure strict compliance with regulations protecting competition integrity.
A significant portion of the training was dedicated to player health, specifically the risks associated with gambling addiction. Research suggests that elite athletes are particularly vulnerable to gambling problems due to their competitive nature and the high-pressure environments they inhabit.
To illustrate the reality of these risks, the sessions featured a personal account from Daniel Harre, who detailed how gambling issues can develop unnoticed.
The discussions revealed a gap in current safety nets, noting that many clubs lack formal routines for managing gambling concerns among their squads. Trainers stressed that support staff are often the first to notice behavioral changes in athletes and therefore require adequate knowledge to intervene early.
By equipping leaders with these tools, Svenska Spel aims to create a culture where acting on suspicion is normalized, protecting both the integrity of the game and the well-being of the individuals who play it.
Erik Ryman, Sports Director at HockeyAllsvenskan:
“Protecting the credibility of the sport is a fundamental foundation for us at HockeyAllsvenskan, but it is equally important to take care of the people behind it.”
Erik Ryman, Sports Director at HockeyAllsvenskan:
“Through training courses like the one we have just conducted, we build knowledge and security and we strengthen our players and leaders in daring to act when something does not feel right. That is how we together protect both the sport and those who make it possible.”
