Sweden rejects reimbursement of spending ceilings for games, but new rules will come
The Swedish government announced earlier this month that it is considering taking back several temporary measures to the gaming industry. Among these was a deposit limit, which was in place in 2020 and 2021 during the covid-19 pandemic. However, the government chose to drop the plan. Players and operators are happy with the decision.
Sweden switches to game roofs
The cap, along with other measures such as a $ 100 ($ 44) limit for sign-up bonuses, was to be made official yesterday. It would have entered into force on 7 February if it had been approved. However, the government chose to abandon the plan.
Gustaf Hoffstedt, Secretary General of the Swedish Industry Association for Online Gaming (BOS, for its Swedish acronym), met yesterday with State Secretary Alejandro Firpo to show his gratitude. He stated that the roof did not reduce gambling damage and the government made the right decision. BOS had been loud about its opposition to the rules.
Hoffstedt claimed: “We are in favor of strong regulation of the gaming market and a prerequisite for this is that the intention of various reforms can also be expected to have the intended effect. That was not the case with the covid restrictions, and it is therefore welcome that they be withdrawn. “
New rules and regulations are coming to the gaming ecosystem
The Ministry of Finance in Sweden has proposed a number of safer gaming alternatives, including the introduction of a mandatory licensing program for gaming program providers.
Minister Ardalan Shakarabi presented the proposals at a press conference yesterday. They will apply from January 2023.
The rules make it mandatory for suppliers who offer their services to Swedish operators to obtain a gaming license. According to the ministry, this would help stop unlicensed gambling in the country.
Other proposals include banning the illegal marketing of games and extending the existing ban on unlicensed betting. To protect children and people with gambling problems, the ministry proposed that gambling advertising in Sweden be adapted to better suit their needs.
Shakarabi proposed in June 2022 that gambling advertising would be subject to “special moderation”, as it is for the marketing of alcohol, in June 2022. The Swedish Gaming Inspectorate, the Swedish Gaming Authority, supports this proposal.
The Ministry proposed that a market disruption fee should be assessed for operators who market directly to customers, for example via e-mail, but in a disruptive manner.
The final proposal requires licensees to provide information in order for the ministry to be able to follow developments and trends in the gaming market. Shakarabi added, “We are now taking the next step to regain control of the Swedish gaming market.”