DETAILS OF REPUBLIC OF IRELAND’S PROPOSED NEW GAMBLING LAWS REVEALED

October 19, 2021 Off By Steven Anderson

Source : Ayo News

The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling, Branschföreningen för Onlinespel (BOS), has called on the Ministry of Finance to scrap proposals for tighter gambling advertising rules.

If the proposed new rules, which are supported by the Swedish gaming regulator (Spelinspektionen), are adopted, gambling advertising will be reclassified as requiring ‘special moderation.’

In effect, this would mean that gambling advertising would be much more tightly regulated, in line with things like alcohol, requiring warnings on all marketing and advertising content, and subject to a 21:00 watershed for TV, radio, and digital platforms.

Calling for the proposals to be dropped, BOS Secretary General, Gustaf Hoffstedt, said: “This is another proposal from the Government that plays straight into the hands of unlicensed gaming companies in Sweden. The trump card of licensed gaming companies has been the opportunity to market themselves and thus channel gaming consumers into the safe Swedish licensed system.

“If the possibility of [broadcasting adverts] becomes even more difficult, the leakage out of the Swedish licensing system, and already 25% of the turnover for online casinos leaks out of the licensing system, will fall to even more critically low levels. In the name of consumer protection, this proposal must be withdrawn.”

BOS members include Betsson, bet365, LeoVegas, Microgaming, Betway, Pinnacle, PokerStars, Flutter, Entain, Cherry Casino, Evolution, SG Digital, Gamesys Group, Casumo, SuprNation, Video Slots, Kambi, Quickspin, and Hero Gaming.

AYO.NEWS says:

Given the way Swedish authorities, including Spelinspektionen, have treated licensed operators over the last couple of years, it’s surprising any companies are still investing in the country. Whichever way you look at it, logically, it’s extremely difficult to argue against Hoffstedt on this one. But, do we think rational arguments and facts will sway the clearly anti-gambling Swedish lawmakers? Not at all. Oh well, there are plenty of fresh new pastures across the Atlantic.

Staying with Swedish drama, earlier this month, both Vivaro and Fair Play Bets lost licenses due to inactivity, while in August Mr Green was hit with a SEK31.5M fine for regulatory breaches.