Spelinspektionen, the Swedish gambling authority, has begun a dialogue with the industry trading bodies about illegal gambling and how they can work together to combat it.
The gambling regulator held discussions with the Swedish gambling industry’s national organisation, SPER, and with the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling, Branschföreningen för Onlinespel.
Although it has tools it can utilise to combat illegal gambling, Spelinspektionen Director General Camilla Rosenberg stated there are “further opportunities for efficiency” and that the industry’s input on such a matter is always welcomed to help “ensure a healthy and safe Swedish gaming market with high consumer protection”.
Spelinspektionen hosted the meeting with SPER and BOS to help further strengthen the licensed market against unlicensed gaming, presenting its current regulations, efforts and initiatives to counter the illegal market.
The gambling authority added that these talks led to open discussions and proposals for improvements and streamlining.
“SPER appreciates discussions between the industry and the Swedish Gambling Authority on the important issue of gambling on unlicensed companies,” stated Maria Wennerberg Sedigh, CEO of SPER.
“Cooperation between the relevant authorities and the industry is necessary for the licensing system to function satisfactorily.”
Gustaf Hoffstedt, Secretary General of BOS, added: “The gambling industry and the Swedish Gambling Inspectorate have a common interest in discouraging unlicensed gambling from Sweden.
“If we are to succeed in this, we cannot each sit in our own chamber, but then we must gather our forces. A day like this definitely contributes to that.”
The Swedish market could change soon with a tax increase planned for next year, but BOS has recently stated that the proposals are “the best Christmas present you can think of – to the unregulated and unlicensed gambling market”.
