SVENSKE SPEL FOLDS ON EXPANSION PLANS
7 September 2007
Swedish gambling monopoly withdraws online casino
license application
Sweden's state-owned gambling monopoly, Svenske Spel
appears to have shelved plans for an expansion into
online casino operations, at least for now. The
organisation has withdrawn an application for a license
for an online casino and has halted development of new
gambling products.
Svenske Spel and the Swedish government have been at the
centre of a growing European Commission row recently due
to its exclusionary policies against other EU nations
entering its lucrative gambling sector.
Last month the government rejected EC approaches on its
lack of compliance with EU free movement of trade and
services priniciples (see previous InfoPowa reports) EC
commissioner for internal markets Charlie McCreevy
appeared unimpressed with the Swedish argument that its
monopolistic policies better protected players and are
therefore justified. As a consequence, the Swedes could
find themselves in the dock at the European Court of
Justice.
Such an appearance could take years to arrange, and
there is speculation that the Swedes may be playing for
time but could ultimately capitulate. In the meantime
Svenska Spel can continue to operate as the dominant
online gambling operator in the region.
By halting its expansion plans Svenska Spel could be
trying to demonstrate that the government's motivation
for the monopoly is to curb gambling addiction. However,
putting a moratorium on development in a world where
operational technology moves so quickly could have its
own perils.
Online Casino News courtesy of
InfoPowa
More news here.
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