Swedish regulator hails 91% channelisation rate in H1 2019

The Swedish online gambling market enjoyed a 91% channelisation rate in H1 2019, according to new information from the Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA).

In a meeting with licensed Swedish operators this morning, SGA coordinator Marcus Aronsson said the data had been obtained by coordination between the SGA and Swedish taxation authorities.

The SGA has a publicly stated aim for a channelisation rate of 90% within the first two years of the regulated market.

The regulator last week wrote to Swedish payment processors, warning them against working with unlicensed operators.

Several licensed firms have voiced concerns about the growing black market.

In addition to confirming the channelisation rate, the SGA also confirmed there are 27 licence applications pending review. It also confirmed two licence applications were rejected due to a “lack of skill, experience and organisation both internally and through the prospective operators supply partners”.

Elsewhere, Swedish trade association Sper has claimed its advertising guidelines, first launched in April, are influencing a “clear development” of gambling advertising in Sweden, both in terms of quantity of adverts and the content of advertising.

As part its evaluation, member firms were required to answer seven questions concerning how they follow the guidelines, what has worked and what needs to be further developed.

Following this feedback, Sper has said its members are making positive efforts to disseminate knowledge of the new regulations through internal training, education and business checklists.

However, Sper has said members are still encountering “interpretive difficulties” regarding certain points within the advertising guidelines.