Spelinspektionen welcomes Swedish Gambling Act amendments
The newly confirmed measures are part of a series of planned amendments to the Swedish Gambling Act.
The amendments, which have been referred to the government’s legislative council, would come into force from 1 April 2024.
Under the changes, operators would be required to obtain written approval in advance from customers for telephone-based gaming.
Additionally, providers would have the right to access personal data relating to finance and health provided by customers. This would enable them to “counteract excessive gambling”, the regulator said.
Swedish Gambling Act: the changes
Regeringskansliet, the government office that supports Sweden’s lawmakers, had previously announced other changes to the Gambling Act from next April. Most notably, gaming companies that violate the country’s Money Laundering Act would face higher fines.
Currently, penalties for gambling operators that violate the Money Laundering Act are lower than for violations of the Gambling Act. From April, the penalty fees would be harmonised for operators, helping to “combat criminal activity”, Regeringskansliet stated.
“We welcome the proposals in the referral that enable further measures to strengthen the regulation of the gaming market,” Rosenberg said. “It is also gratifying that the government has now heeded the Gambling Authority’s proposal to raise the sanction ceiling for violations of the Money Laundering Act.”
Legislative landscape
The Swedish Gambling Act changes are occurring against the backdrop of an evolving landscape.
On 1 July, supplier licences came into force. Additionally, new enforcement powers were introduced for Spelinspektionen.
In September, the government proposed increasing the gambling tax rate from 18% to 22% of gross gaming revenue. This change could be introduced in July 2024.
Additionally, earlier this month, Spelinspektionen called for a ban on the use of credit cards for gambling in the country.
Flat growth
Meanwhile, the growth of Sweden’s gambling market appears to have plateaued, according to the latest figures.
Gross gaming revenue (GGR) from licensed operators reached SEK6.7bn (£498.8m/€573.8m/$611.1m) in Q3. GGR was down 0.6% year-on-year and flat versus Q2 2023.
By the end of Q3, 99,000 people had registered for Spelinspektionen’s voluntary self-exclusion scheme, Spelpaus.se. This marked a 4% increase in comparison with the second quarter of the year.