Exclusive: Former Global Gaming CEO slams Swedish regulator for “stifling innovation”
Stefan Olsson‘s new innovation hub John Doe Invest is struggling to get new Super 6-style concept approved by the SGA
Former Global Gaming CEO Stefan Olsson has slammed the Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA) for stifling innovation in Sweden, including the exec’s new Super 6-style concept.
Olsson, who left the Global Gaming top job in April last year, founded a new innovation firm called John Doe Invest in February this year.
The new firm is working across multiple industries but is trying to acquire a Swedish gambling licence for its so-called Super 12 concept, which asks fans to predict the outcomes of 12 football matches for big prizes.
The product is somewhat similar to Sky Bet’s Super 6 but asks punters to predict results on the 1×2 rather than exact scores, and also adds a “randomised goal” element where extra goals are added to scorelines in a bid to attract casino and bingo-style punters.
However, Olsson joined a chorus of recent criticism against the SGA, saying the regulator has been unclear about the regulations and exactly what it will licence.
“You don’t really have a dialogue with the SGA,” Olsson told EGR. “They said ‘do whatever you want, and we will tell you if it’s right or wrong’. There’s no framework for licensing new concepts.
“It is really sad to see not only us, but a lot of Swedish companies trying to push boundaries, trying to push new technology and not being able to figure out ahead of time if this will be approved or not. It’s really frustrating.”
Stefan Olsson
Olsson said John Doe Invest might be forced to launch Super 12 in other markets first as it tries to figure out the Swedish licensing process.
Olsson added: “What’s really strange is that I don’t see this as a typical Swedish way of doing things. The tax authority for example; you can reach them, you can ask them is this allowed and they will give you guidance. And that’s kind of the dialogue that you would like to have with the SGA.
“But until they reach that point, it will be very hard for startups or new technologies to emerge from Sweden. And that’s really, really sad to see. A lot of the Swedish innovation will have to take place outside of Sweden, which is absurd.”
The SGA had not responded to an EGR request for comment at time of publication.