Swedish KO sues Postcode Lottery
The Consumer Ombudsman of Sweden has initiated legal proceedings against Svenska Postkodlotteriet at Sweden’s Patent and Market Court as it believes the company violated the Gambling Act’s requirements regarding responsible advertising. The Consumer Ombudsman is asking the court to impose a fine on…
The Consumer Ombudsman of Sweden has initiated legal proceedings against Svenska Postkodlotteriet at Sweden’s Patent and Market Court as it believes the company violated the Gambling Act’s requirements regarding responsible advertising. The Consumer Ombudsman is asking the court to impose a fine on Svenska Postkodlotteriet if the operator refuses to cease its advertising. Among the various aspects of the company’s advertising campaign that worry the Consumer Ombudsman are the video showing money falling over the residential area and the gold letters promising to the viewer’s postcode the SEK 101 million. The Consumer Ombudsman maintained that large jackpot winnings, money images, and countdown advertising altogether resulted in stress on consumers to buy the lottery tickets. This case may clarify the definition of moderate gambling advertising in accordance with gambling legislation in Chapter 15, Section 1 of the Gambling Act. Svenska Postkodlotteriet does not agree with the assessment of CO and welcomes the court decision on this issue. The operator said in a statement: We do not share the Consumer Ombudsman’s assessment and therefore it is good that this is being tested. The current case follows the separate regulatory actions taken by the Spelinspektionen gambling authority.