New Gambling Laws in Sweden

[WulFTwood]

Didn't find any discussion related to the topic. I think it'll be interesting to exchange opinions.

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As you may already heard, the local regulator In Sweden - Lotteriinspektionen began to work. The company will issue licenses as well as carry out gambling control.

Since 2017, the regulator together with representatives of the gambling industry has been working on key details. And in 2019, the new laws of Sweden concerning online gambling will come into force.

The most actively discussed issue was taxation. At the moment, 18% tax for income get in Sweden has been proposed.

Experts believe that major operators will be ready to accept these conditions, given the prospects for development of Swedish gambling market.

Lotteriinspektionen’s General Director - Camilla Rosenberg noted that there will be no restrictions on the number of licenses issued. This means that each operator is able to make business legally in Sweden. However, the existing quality criteria has to be met.
Both local and foreign operators of online casinos will be able to obtain permission to carry out activities.

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What do you think? How will it influence the gambling industry in Sweden and EU?

 

[awesamko]

Swedish market is big and good. I might guess that many casinos will try to get a license. 18% tax seems to reasonable. If the law will not be overregulated, a new law will have a good influence on the business.

 

[Biti]

I think, if conditions are reasonable, quite some brands will go for a license.

The market will look like:
- 70-90% legal, brands like Unibet, Leo Vegas, 888, GIG, Bethard & co, white labels, some local heroes and perhaps some smaller .com brands that feel that it's time to pick some markets instead of losing more and more because more and more former .com markets are getting regulated.
- 10-30% black market, same brands as you see popping up everywhere, like AffPower, and some other dodgy offshore clip joints.

Big or medium casinos that do not apply for a license will not accept Swedish players anymore.

If the Swedish are smart, they try to avoid a situation like the UK with 100's of poor underfunded brands operating under a white label license.

Interesting to see is what will happen with the affiliate market in Sweden. First-year(s) it will be a madhouse for sure, but after that, when the bigger guys are having their market share...

 

[Mason Jones]

Thanks for the thread. I just had a look at the government site of Sweden where it states that the bill is supposed to come into effect in January 2019. There are some more infos that I came across:
Further proposals in the Bill:

• Licensed operators must have a comprehensive duty to protect gamblers from excessive gambling.
• Strict requirements for moderation in marketing gambling will apply.
• Gamblers must be able to bar themselves from all gambling, and bonuses will not be permitted at any time other than the first gambling occasion.
• The possibility of blocking payment transactions between gamblers and unlicensed gambling operators will be introduced to ensure unlicensed operators are shut out of the market.
• The Swedish Gambling Authority will also be able to order internet service providers to set up warning messages for websites offering unlicensed gambling.
• Promoting gambling without a licence, for example through advertising, will be criminalised.
  

Has this bill now been passed?

 

[Joonas]

Thanks for sharing guys. It's exciting to see another market properly licensed.

 

[Thomas Andreas]

Hey,
just saw your thread now.
I just posted this. be great to have your feedback as well
threads/how-will-swedens-new-casino-legislation-affect-you-as-an-affiliate.11907/