The finance sector saw a 6.7% increase in Q3 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, with gross gaming sales reaching SEK4.72bn, a rise of 5.2% year-on-year. Winnings paid out amounted to SEK2.75bn, marking a SEK110m increase from Q3 2020. This resulted in an overall revenue of SEK1.97bn. The Tor lottery division was the top revenue generator, reaching SEK1.55bn, a 2.2% increase from Q3 2020, while sport and casino contributed SEK526m, a 7.3% rise year-on-year. The operator’s land-based casinos and Vegas-branded slot halls under Casino Cosmopol accounted for SEK292m, showing a significant 64.9% increase since the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Other income sources generated SEK52m, a 36.8% increase. Expenses, including gambling tax (SEK375m) and gaming costs (SEK259m), resulted in a net sales total of SEK1.39bn for the quarter. Personnel costs reached SEK217m, while depreciation and amortization stood at SEK92m. Additional expenses brought the total operating profit to SEK696m, a 31.0% rise compared to the previous year. After tax payments of SEK144m, the net profit for the period amounted to SEK552m, a 25.1% increase from Q3 2020.
Patrik Hofbauer, CEO of Svenska Spel, expressed enthusiasm about the reactivation of all operations and a positive outlook for the Swedish gaming sector following more than fifteen months of closure. He mentioned that the financial year’s total revenue has reached SEK5.91bn, reflecting a 6.5% year-on-year increase. However, Hofbauer also voiced concerns about potential undesirable outcomes from the proposed “special moderation” of gambling advertising by Sweden’s Ministry of Finance.
