Sweden proposes further gambling regulatory reform in 2023
Ardalan Shekarabi moves to strengthen advertising law and increase transparency between operators and regulators
The Swedish government has put forward further proposals to strengthen gambling regulation in the Nordic market.
Minister for Social Security Ardalan Shekarabi detailed the new proposals in a press conference this morning (26 January) as he aims to continue to alter the fabric of gambling in the country.
Shekarabi’s new proposals, which would come into effect on 1 January 2023, would see a tightening of advertising law and a clampdown on unlicensed operators.
The referrals, which will be put to the Swedish Law Council tomorrow (27 January), include several major adjustments to current regulations.
The first will see an “adjusted requirement for moderation in the marketing of games” to protect young people and those at risk from gambling-related harm.
Secondly, the new proposals will clamp down on the promotion of unlicensed and black market operations to improve the country’s channelisation rate.
Licensees will also be required to provide further information to the regulator to allow the body to oversee and further understand developments in the market.
Shekarabi said: “We are now taking the next step to regain control of the Swedish gaming market.
“It is both about limiting aggressive gaming advertising and stopping gaming companies that do not have a licence. Strengthened gambling regulation is a prerequisite for strong protection for consumers,” he added.
Earlier this month, Shekarabi proposed the reintroduction of deposit and bonus limits, mimicking those implemented during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, to protect consumers.
The reintroduction would see a new weekly loss limit of SEK4,000 (£325.58) be introduced from 7 February and end on 30 June.
Trade association body BOS has railed against the reimplementation of restrictions, while the Swedish Gambling Authority has thrown its support behind the government.
Elsewhere, Sweden’s Court of Appeal has rejected an appeal from Lottoland subsidiary United Lottery Solutions (ULS) pertaining to a fine issued in 2019.
After it was determined that ULS had allowed customers to bet on lottery outcomes, Lottoland was fined SEK700,000 (£52,423) as lotteries are only allowed to be wagered upon for non-profit causes.