The party submitted a parliamentary motion in response to the government’s gambling reform bill submitted earlier this year.
Industry association BOS stated that the motion from the Moderates, currently the largest opposition party, may reveal their stance on gambling policy in the event of a change of power.
The party expressed support for regulated gambling but acknowledged that there were some shortcomings when the Swedish market opened in January 2019.
The Moderates welcomed several proposals from the government, including the licensing requirement for B2B software providers to combat illegal gambling.
However, the party aims to provide greater protection to the licensed market, calling for a review of the government’s ability to change regulations for operators, rather than legislation.
One area of focus for the Moderate Party is the monthly deposit cap for online casinos, which faced significant opposition from the sector. The party believes that clear and stable rules are essential for the gaming market.
Furthermore, the party suggests reviewing the rules regarding bonuses, proposing that they should be more flexible for all customers, not just charitable lotteries. This approach aims to enhance consumer protection and foster lasting relationships between gaming companies and their players.
The Moderates also advocate for the separation of state-owned lottery operator Svenska Spel into a lottery business and a licensed gaming business, with the latter being sold to the private sector. This proposal aligns with the stance of the Swedish Democrats, marking a shared opposition perspective.
The party opposes the inclusion of an “adjusted moderation” requirement in all gambling marketing activities, stating that it is premature and may risk undermining the regulated market.
Lastly, the Moderates suggest implementing reforms recommended by Gunnar Larsson’s report, published last year in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance. These reforms primarily aim to address match-fixing and unlicensed play, proposing that all gambling available to Swedes should fall under the Swedish Gambling Act’s jurisdiction.
