Svenska Spel welcomes Swedish online gambling enquiry
News on 1 Oct 2015
News on 1 Oct 2015
The recent announcement by Sweden’s Minister of Public Administration, Ardalan Shekarabi, of a timetable for the revision of Sweden’s controversial online gambling laws (see previous reports) has been welcomed by state-owned Svenska Spel.
CEO Lennart Käll said the minister’s intentions were good news for the industry, and that he hoped it would bring about a more even playing field for operators.
Käll has frequently lamented the competition represented by illegal unlicensed operators, which he has claimed adversely impacts his business.
He said the current situation has prevailed for too long and is untenable, and emphasised the need for strong measures against match fixing, along with equally strong consumer protection safeguards.
In releasing his timetable last month minister Shekarabi said the enquiry would make recommendations aimed at bringing about “…a new gaming regulation that should aim to create a gaming market that is characterised by a high level of consumer protection, high security of the games and the clear potential to be acting in the market”.
He also said that the objective was not to increase gambling, but make it safer and more controlled.
Our readers will recall that the Swedish government has been repeatedly warned by the European Commission that its online gambling laws do not comply with European Union principles and require revision. In the absence of compliance, the Commission began ECJ proceedings in late 2014.
