Swedish industry calls for more consumer protection in re-regulated market

Swedish industry professionals have called for tougher consumer protection measures in their responses to Swedish plans for re-regulation.

The calls stem from a consultation period, which closed on Friday, allowing key stakeholders to give their input on the country’s forthcoming gambling regulatory framework.

Monopoly operator Svenska Spel highlighted the lack of responsible gambling initiatives, suggesting that more stringent responsible gambling measures should be considered by the government.

“Proposals in the investigation are lacking in how to adapt gaming responsiveness measures and marketing requirements,” Svenska Spel CEO Lennart Kall said.

Similarly, the trade body representing the current local market, SPER, has suggested that closer considerations be made to the risk level of specific products and verticals.

Elsewhere, the Swedish Data Protection Authority said the current framework proposal does not comply with local data protection laws.

“The report does not contain any actual investigation and analysis of the impact on individuals’ personal integrity,” the authority said in its response.

“It is noteworthy that the investigation has not further identified what data will actually need to be registered,” it added.

The government will consider the industry’s suggestions before submitting a draft of the new gambling bill to the Council on Legislation, and then presenting it to parliament.