The proposed extension for online casino games in Sweden was announced last month in response to the rate of Covid-19 cases. The Swedish trade association BOS chair Gustaf Hoffstedt cited concerns about consumer protection and the potential increase in players choosing unlicensed games as the reasons for rejecting the extension.
Hoffstedt stated, “The restrictions make it harder for licensed gaming while making it easier for Swedish consumers to choose unlicensed games. This proposal only benefits the black market of unlicensed gambling companies.”
The restriction, which was initially implemented in July 2020 and was supposed to end by the year’s end, has been extended until June 2021. Hoffstedt has expressed worries about the unlicensed gaming market since the introduction of the weekly deposit cap, saying, “I am highly concerned about the leakage from the Swedish licensing system to unlicensed sites. Currently, we already have a problematic leakage rate of approximately 25% for online casinos, and these government measures will only worsen the situation.”
The consultation period for the extension closed on May 3. In their response, the regulator Spelinspektionen requested clarification on the deposit cap after the Administrative Court in Linköping overturned sanctions against Kindred due to a loophole with the cap.
