Swedish gambling market contracts for third year
Lotteriinspektionen figures show a 0.3% fall in gross turnover despite rise in online revenues for Svenska Spel and ATG
Turnover in the regulated Swedish gambling market has declined for a third consecutive year despite growth in online poker and sports betting.
According to latest figures from the Swedish Gambling Authority (Lotteriinspektionen), gross turnover fell by 0.3% year-on-year to SEK48.6bn (£4.5bn) in 2013, while gross gaming revenues totalled SEK17.3bn (£1.6bn).
State-owned company Svenska Spel maintained its dominant position, despite a 0.5% year-on-year fall in sales, after recording total sales of SEK21.5bn (£2bn), excluding casino.
Sports betting and online poker for the operator fared much better after a 6% and 13% year-on-year rise in revenues respectively, while horseracing operator ATG posted a 5% rise in online and mobile sales.
However, director general of the Gaming Board, HÃ¥kan Hallstedt, said that the disappointing figures were largely the result of a slump in the demand for games.
“We are seeing a subdued demand for games with the exceptions being betting and some lottery services,” he said. “This [lack of demand] depends on a number of reasons but the pattern is familiar throughout the rest of Europe.”
“Gambling technology is shifting further, from the personal computer to mobile and tablet,” he added. “Perhaps this structural [change] must settle fully before we see an increase in demand again.”
Lotteriinspektionen also estimated the turnover of unlicensed foreign online operators increased to SEK2.3bn for the 12 months ended 31 December, a rise of 2% compared to 2012.
The results follow infringement proceedings launched in November 2013 against several EU Member States, including Sweden, regarding their gambling laws and possible breaches of internal market rules.
The proceedings against Sweden are currently facing delays after a meeting between officials from both parties was cancelled last month.