Government Report Recommends Introduction of Liberalised Regulatory System

By Jess Plowden, Last updated Apr 12, 2017

The end of the Swedish state’s online gambling monopoly?

Today, the Swedish government received a report from a commission tasked in 2014 with investigating a license-based regulatory system.

Recommendations included an 18% tax on gross gaming revenue, the end of Svenska Spel’s state monopoly and the opening of the Swedish market to international operators through a new licensing regime.

Scrutiny of the Svenska Spel monopoly by the the European Commission has led to the creation of a grey market in the country currently accessed by unlicensed, non-Swedish gaming companies.

If implemented, the recommendations could result in a licensing framework being implemented by Sweden in 2018.

Peter Alling, head of Nordic affairs for Kindred (previously known as Unibet Group) warned that quick action was needed:

“We welcome the political consensus on the need for a modern gambling legislation, and the commitment that a new law will be in place before the next general election,” he said.

“For re-regulation to be successful there is no room for major changes in the investigator’s proposal. Delays will endanger the whole reform.”

The report also recommended strict responsible gambling measures, among them: player controlled spending caps and a country-wide self-exclusion database.

---