Sweden to reveal egaming plans in autumn
Proposals for liberal licensing model could be unveiled in November as EC infringement case rumbles on
The Swedish government will decide this autumn whether it will initiate a Danish-style licensing model for its egaming industry or stick to its existing monopoly system alongside a crackdown on unlicensed operators.
Currently only Svenska Spel and horseracing betting operator ATG are able to offer any form of regulated online gambling, but European operators are hoping Sweden will adopt an open licensing framework similar to that of neighbouring Denmark.
However while its government is still considering that option, the Ministry of Finance has said a strengthening of the monopolistic status quo could yet be the favoured approach.
A general election scheduled for mid-September means a decision is unlikely to be made before then, however the Ministry of Finance’s Carin Kappe told eGaming Review this morning that it would be made by November.
A Labour government, the Socialdemocrats, is expected to take over from the Conservative coalition which has been in power since 2006.
The news comes as the Swedish government faces increasing pressure from the European Commission over its compliance with EU internal market laws, which were first called in question back in 2007.
The EC is currently considering Sweden’s response to its latest infringement case brought against the country, and remains concerned over the Member State’s opaque approach to online gambling regulation.
However the EC’s final ruling on will have no influence on the country’s decision, Kappe said.
The EC said it was unable to comment on pending infringement cases, however a source close to the matter said the Commission would applaud a move towards either outcome, so long as it provided greater clairty.
Last month the secretary general of the European Gaming and Betting Association accusing Sweden of being in a “perpetual state of imminent change”, and said the EC must now follow through on its promise to act.
“For many years changes have been announced and Sweden has had ample time to adapt its regulation to comply with EU law. Nothing has happened,” Haijer said.
Kappe said the government is also working on broader changes to the country’s gambling laws which will be implemented after the summer.
One of the changes will be to switch licensing responsibility for existing offline and online licensees, now overseen by the government, to the Gaming Board of Sweden (Lotteriinspektionen).
The other will see the introduction of provisions concerning gambling-related marketing and responsible gaming practices.