-
Casinos for you
Swedish Online Gambling Community Welcomes Leadership Change
By Shane Addinall Jun 14, 2022 IndustrySweden’s Moderate Party proposes to split Svenska Spel into competitive and monopoly divisions. They also want fewer casino bonus controls and improved safer gambling resources.As the Swedish general elections draw near, there is much talk about who will take power and their impact on existing regulatory infrastructures and frameworks.
Anticipating a victory at the polls in September, the Moderate Party shared their plans to split the state-owned gambling company Svenska Spel to aid in further separating the monopolised and open market segments of the industry.
BOS, the Swedish trade association for online gambling, has welcomed their plans:
"With this statement from the Moderate Party, I welcome the fact that the two largest parties in opposition now have been so clear about their intention to privatise the competitive part of state operator Svenska Spel, if they will form or support a new government after the September general elections in Sweden."
In short, the Party has proposed allowing business and industry professionals to run the business of online gambling while the government focuses on governance. Blending these areas can lead to bias and a less efficient system for all concerned.
Are Casinos Playing Against the House?
Like many of its peers, Sweden currently has a multi-license gambling sector that allows local and offshore operators to offer casino games and sports betting to Swedish citizens legally. However, the government has chosen to retain its monopoly on the National Lottery, lottery, and keno-type games.
The current division of labour has Svenska Spel overseeing and enforcing gambling-related policies such as channelling and safer gambling in the region. This dual focus means it is responsible for the oversight and policing of its competitors.
The plan to separate Svenska Spel into two separate teams, one for the monopoly and one for the licensed casino sector, is to alleviate any concerns about bias and lack of fair play.
Expanding Gambling Business Opportunities
The Moderate Party does not only believe this separation is necessary for an even playing field in Sweden but also that it will improve the industry’s growth potential.
The proposal stated:
“There is a risk of further eroding the regulated market if the players who have redeemed a licence, pay Swedish tax and maintain a high level of consumer protection do not have the opportunity to market their products to a greater extent.”
In addition to advocating for any advertising limitations to be lifted until more research has been done into its impact, they are calling for decision-making around casino bonuses to be relaxed.
The proposal addressed concerns around player safety and access to bonuses by focussing on expanding the tools, services and reach of Spelinspektionen’s Spelpaus program. Reiterating their belief that to be effective, it needs to ensure players "who have shut themselves off from gambling receive help and support”.
You might also like