MORE MONOPOLY, NOT LESS (Update)
26 December 2008
Ladbrokes lambastes Swedish monopoly
recommendations
UK gambling group Ladbrokes let the Swedes know how it
feels about the recent recommendations on monopoly
reform (see previous InfoPowa report) in no uncertain
terms this week, putting out a strongly worded statement
on the issue.
The statement slammed the Swedish National Gambling
Consultation on online gaming recommendations as
‘protectionist’ and anti-competitive in nature.
The recommendations suggest more competition for
state-owned Svenska Spel in terms of opening up
sportsbetting to some extent - but not horseracing,
casino, poker, bingo and lotteries - leaving these the
exclusive preserve of the state monopoly
John O'Reilly, Managing Director of Remote Betting and
Gaming for Ladbrokes said in the statement: "This is a
last-ditch attempt to avoid a referral to the European
Court of Justice for Sweden's protectionist and unfair
betting and gaming laws and yet, even now, the report
seeks to extend the reach of the monopoly to cover
online gaming including poker and bingo and further
enshrines protection in land-based lotteries, slot
machines, casinos and horseracing.
“None of the European Union principles of
proportionality or free and fair competition across
borders have been taken into account in this paper. It
is more monopoly, not less. The impact will be to
protect government revenues, penalise competitors and
ensure a negative effect on the consumer."
"All operators like Ladbrokes ask is the ability to
compete on a level playing field,” O’Reilly added. “We
see no reason why Ladbrokes cannot abide by Swedish
regulations as well as any monopoly operator. That's
what a licensing and regulatory system should ensure.”
Online Casino News courtesy of
InfoPowa
More news here.
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