Sweden Announces Ongoing Gambling Restrictions For 2021

At the beginning of the global health crisis, there was a very real concern that increased isolation, increased internet usage and financial concerns would lead to a marked increase in harmful gambling.

Thanks to reports from health, finance, and gambling authorities around the globe we now know that this was not the case. While there has been an overall increase in online gambling it was driven by current land-based gamblers now gambling online.

Most regions have reported a decline in the amount of money being spent gambling and safer gambling figures have remained static if not improved, which is a fantastic result.

 Sweden Double Down on Restrictions

Sweden has shown strong resilience in this regard with the market appearing to be maintaining safe gambling levels across the board. However, the Swedish government has voted extend the current restrictions on online gambling from June 2021 to November 2021.

The restrictions do not prohibit online gambling but set out the following limitations:

• The deposit limit for games at online casinos may amount to a maximum of SEK 5,000 and that the corresponding loss limit applies to games at ATMs
• It is mandatory for players to set limits on playing time when playing at online casinos and ATMs
• Bonuses offered by licensees that provide online casinos and ATMs may amount to a maximum of SEK 100.

The fact that the government seems to be targeting the online gambling sector with this extension is a cause of frustration for licensed online casinos, players, and the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS).

 BOS Says Enough is Enough

The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling is calling foul on the governments decision to extend the restrictions on online gambling on the basis of the industry being deemed “risky”.

Minister of Social Insurance, Ardalan Shekarabi, defended the decision saying:

“We see that the spread of covid-19 is still high in Sweden. The current situation entails great risks for consumers in the gaming market. We therefore need to act to reduce the risks for the most vulnerable consumers.”

Yet this stance is in direct contradiction to the data being presented by health and psychology experts such as the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health which who reported an overall decline in spend by online gamblers during the period in question.

BOS adds to this the fact that by applying these restrictions to online play the Swedish Authority is driving players to gamble at unregulated operators who allow them to spend freely and offer enticing Welcome Bonuses.

BOS Secretary General, Gustaf Hoffstedt, said:

“It is only the black gambling market [where consumer protection is often non-existent] that has reason to rejoice at the government’s continued restrictions for Swedish-licensed gambling companies.”

The region's current online casino channelisation has plummeted to around 75%, a marked decrease from its peak where approximately 90% of Swedes gambled at regulated operators. Not only does this rob government coffers of taxable revenues, but it also puts Swedish gamblers at risk of overspending and developing poor gambling habits.