Sometimes I get caught up in the moment...

The gaming experience is the whole point for Tony Zingmark, who works in advertising and has been a loyal customer of Svenska Spel since age 19. He was one of the first to use Spelkortet and participated in tests of Svenska Spel’s Internet gaming site before its launch.

What games do you prefer?

"I usually play Tipset, Lotto and Bomben, for approximately SEK 200 per week. I have also been playing some Internet poker for a while, mostly small sums, but it’s going much better and soon I will raise the stake a little."

"Sometimes I am a little impulsive and incur unnecessary losses because I am inattentive after longer periods of playing, but it seldom involves excessive amounts of money."

Why do you choose Svenska Spel?

"It feels safer than playing on foreign Internet gaming sites, which goes hand-in-hand with Svenska Spel’s image and the knowledge that the state stands behind the website as the owner. I know that I am not being cheated, that the money ends up where it should, and that they contribute to the state treasury."

"Then it is a matter of self-awareness since I am used to playing on the website – it is simply comfortable."

Does Svenska Spel do enough to help you control your own gaming?

"Regarding Internet poker, there is information about the risks and the gaming clocks are very visible. On the other gaming sites, they are somewhat tucked away. It is easier to get caught up in the moment and bet quickly when playing poker, so for that game I use both the gaming clock and the budget to check on myself. It works very well."

"On the other hand, it doesn’t feel particularly credible when Svenska Spel constantly launches new games and advertises its games in the media, while simultaneously warning about the risks. It’s a difficult balancing act."

Do you think it is good that Svenska Spel is owned by the State?

"Yes, since we live in Sweden and the State is trustworthy, it feels good. But Svenska Spel should do more to report on the payback to players and the size of the contribution to the Treasury. I do not doubt that this is in the Annual Report, but it could be communicated better to customers and the general public."