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Can Swedish Game Limit Adjustments Truly Protect Players?
By Shane Addinall Jan 27, 2022 IndustrySwedish igamers face another deposit cap, but this one is permanent and from Svenska Spel. The state-owned company released an explanation a week after they implemented the surprise limits on players’ profiles.Following the Swedish government’s announcement that they will reinstate temporary gambling restrictions, state-owned Svenska Spel released an announcement about their limit adjustments. These seem to be permanent adjustments for specific groups of punters and they imposed the limits without prior notice to customers.
With the Nordic country introducing regulated online gambling in 2019 and imposing deposit limits during 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been all but smooth sailing for Swedish gamblers.
The Swedish online gambling association, Branschföreningen för Onlinespel (BOS), accused the government of taking unwarranted steps in the name of responsible gambling practices. Svenska Spel customers received no prior notice and if BOS is correct in saying that their statistics show no need for deposit caps, we must consider whether or not this is for protection.
Control Through Limits
Published on 19 January, the announcement on Svenska Spel’s website reassures readers that the game limits review is to provide safer igaming. Kajsa Nylander, Sustainability Manager at Svenska Spel, published the article and explained that they link the process to affordability checks and specific age groups. The article further explains how they need to adhere to legislation and how the Gaming Act stipulates their Duty of Care.
Since the launch of the Swedish regulated igaming market in 2019, punters could set their own daily, weekly, and monthly deposit limits. Svenska Spel earmarked certain individuals who chose to set very high and unrealistic limits, according to the company.
Nylander explains that vulnerable groups like young adults, problem gamblers, and unemployed customers would gain much from these limits. Gamblers no longer have a choice on how high or low they want their deposit limits to be. Svenska Spel took control and when players logged into their profiles on 12 January, they were either notified of the lowered limit or informed that the company blocked their profile.
Protection for Highly Ambitious and Young Gamblers
As Nylander explained, most Svenska Spel customers were unaffected by the sucker punch, as it only applies to players in the 18-19 age group and those with limits above SEK10,000. High rollers can rest assured, as the company will do an income check and assess whether they have the financial ability to gamble with large amounts and high limits.
Punters younger than 20 may only deposit SEK1,000 per month, and players between 20 and 24 years may only deposit SEK 5,000 per month. This is to curb gambling addiction in the younger age group, which Svenska Spel indicates are prone to dangerous gambling habits. Players between 20 and 24 can apply for a higher deposit through an income check process.
What Will the Ripple-Effect Be?
Many might argue that the backlash on deposit limits by providers like Kindred, and associations like BOS, are profit-driven. Deposit caps put pressure on bottom lines, but they can also have a much more negative impact on the industry. In fact, it can have the opposite effect to what Svenska Spel and the Swedish government hope for.
When the country lifted temporary gambling limits, on 14 November 2021, Spelinspektionen received instruction from the government to launch an efficacy study relating to the limits. This study is still underway and they will publish partial results in March this year. With the verdict out on the consequences of deposit caps and countries like Australia releasing research that proves positive reinforcement is more effective, Svenska Spel might be jumping the gun.
Stakeholders fear that imposing this type of control within the regulated market may drive players to black-market gambling. Others question whether these limits will motivate players to leave winnings in their accounts, making them more vulnerable to problematic gambling. Svenska Spel is convinced they are taking a step in the right direction and doing their part in keeping gamblers safe.
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