Summary
- Sweden is taking a firmer stand against gambling operators and companies.
- The newly proposed changes to the Gambling Act aim to make it illegal to specifically target Swedish players.
- Industry leaders have enthusiastically embraced the amendment, recognizing its profound importance.
Sweden is gearing up to strengthen its stance against illegal operators in the country. On Wednesday, a new amendment to the Gambling Act was submitted that empowers the Ministry of Finance to crack down on unauthorized gambling businesses and close other gaps in the current laws.
Sweden works on important amendments to its Gambling Act
Operators that target Swedish customers by using English and accepting payments in euros have gotten a free pass for too long, but that needs to change. The new amendment aims to enforce a uniform standard that forbids these operators from offering their services to local players in any form. This marks a significant shift in Sweden's regulatory approach. Currently, only operators using the Swedish language and the Krona are seen as targeting this market. However, given Sweden's high proficiency in English, operators have easily marketed their services without much resistance. The proposed changes won't just address the language issue; they'll also aim to close loopholes involving existing payment providers. Crucially, operators ignoring these new regulations will face criminal charges, stepping up enforcement from mere fines that are often ignored. This approach signals a tougher regulatory stance, one that underscores Sweden's commitment to ensuring compliance.
The amendment will strengthen the market, BoS believes
The industry is embracing these changes wholeheartedly. The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling remarked that these adjustments hold the promise of meaningful transformation, offering authorities stronger tools while diminishing the influence of illegal operators. Gustaf Hoffstedt, the Secretary-General, emphasized, This is a crucial step towards bolstering the Swedish gambling license market. The proposal aims to criminalize nearly all unlicensed gambling within Sweden's borders. I anticipate the government will soon present a bill to the Riksdag based on the investigation’s recommendations. Kudos to Mr. Investigator Marcus Isgren for his excellent work, and here's hoping the government and the Riksdag will match his diligence in advancing this legislation. It's time to extinguish unlicensed gambling in Sweden, he continued.
