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New Swedish Government Announce Changes for Gambling Industry
By Shane Addinall Oct 02, 2022 IndustryAfter settling into more predictable market circumstances, Swedish operators and players face more change as the newly victorious government works to implement regulatory updates. The next year holds the certainty of new laws and more.Sweden's gambling inspectorate backed the upcoming enforcement of B2B supplier licenses by announcing an effective date despite outstanding legislative approval. Spelinspektionen informed iGaming providers that the application process for the software licenses will open on 1 March 2023. The regulator hopes to hit the ground running once the bill comes into effect.
Reports cite further projects from the inspectorate as it works to ensure a responsible gambling industry in the Nordic region. The regulator also announced further success with the country's self-exclusion system, Spelpaus.
Preparation is Key
Sweden's recent national election results mean the government that introduced the B2B supplier license bill no longer has the authority to enforce it. Regardless of the governmental changes, the Spelinspektionen explains its plans to prepare all stakeholders in the event of approval.
As proposed earlier this year, the B2B licensing system applies to software providers wishing to supply their casino gaming software to licensed operators in Sweden. The bill suggested that the license requisite take effect on 1 July 2023. Spelinspektionen hopes to get a head-start with applications coming in from 1 March next year.
Specifications in the bill relate to application costs ranging from SEK 120,000, and the legislator hopes the process will deter unlicensed operators from entering the Swedish market. Licensed B2B providers may only supply games to operators with a Swedish license.
The new government has already proposed other changes to the current gambling legislation although it is unclear at this stage when the changes will take effect. Spelinspektionen advised that the approval of the B2B supplier license bill depends on a favourable vote in the Riksdag.
Increased Protection from New Government
Following the coalition government’s victorious results in the mid-September elections, Spelinspektionen announced updates in responsible gambling regulations. Days after the historic election, the regulator announced changes to certain in-game features to protect Swedish gamblers further.
The rules include a ban on the autoplay feature for Online Slots and reverse withdrawal options. Spelinspektionen advised operators to inform players before implementing updates in this respect. Operators may no longer have pre-determined options with time, deposit, and loss limits, and any account with an idle period of two minutes must sign off automatically.
While commenting on the swift announcement of changes, Spelinspektionen said, “The purpose of the proposed changes is to strengthen the protection of players and to simplify licensees’ work with gambling responsibility by clarifying the requirements.”
The Swedish trade association, BOS, announced its support for the new government before the election as it believed the moderate party held market-friendly favourable views.
80,000 Swedes Registered on Spelpaus
Shortly after the regulatory updates on player protection protocols, Spelinspektionen announced the country’s self-exclusion register, Spelpaus, registered its 80,000th player. The nationwide database launched in January 2019, along with the country's introduction of a regulated online gambling market.
Since then, Spelinspektionen launched Spelpaus 2.0 with updated programming and improved user features for ease of use and clear guidance on the self-exclusion process. All licensed operators in the Swedish region must incorporate the Spelpaus system into their platforms and, according to the updated laws announced earlier this month, should have a Spelpaus icon in the website lobby.
More Change to Come
As part of the new government's promises to industry stakeholders, more change in the gambling industry is coming. The Moderate Party and Sweden Democrats coalition noted its intent to split state-owned Svenska Spel. This proposal received support from BOS.
Following a brief period of harmony, the Swedish gambling market may face more volatile circumstances as the new government seeks to make its mark.
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