Swedish government report calls for abolition of monopoly
Long-awaited report says country could usher in a new multi-vertical licensing system within 18 months
The Swedish government was today advised to abolish its monopoly online gambling system and open up the market to foreign operators under a new multi-vertical licensing regime.
The 1340-page report into re-regulation, which was presented to civil minister Ardalan Shekarabi this morning, urged the government to remove Svenska Spel’s exclusive position and adopt an 18% GGR tax.
The licensing process, which if adopted could begin as early as next year, would enable operators to apply for six separate licences across all gaming verticals, while a specific licence for software suppliers was also suggested.
Outgoing Swedish regulatory chief Hakan Hallstedt, who led the investigation, said that whilst the report set out a preferred regulatory framework, it was up to the government to set the specifications.
Kindred’s head of Nordic affairs, Peter Alling, welcomed the report but urged the government to enact its recommendations as quickly as possible.
“We welcome the political consensus on the need for a modern gambling legislation, and the commitment that a new law will be in place before the next general election,” he said.
“For re-regulation to be successful there is no room for major changes in the investigator’s proposal. Delays will endanger the whole reform.”
Also included in the report were stringent responsible gambling measures, including a national self-exclusion register and caps on players’ spending, to be set by players themselves.
Gambling regulatory body Lotteriinspektionen would become the official government authority for granting licenses and would tasked with reaching a 90% channelisation rate within two years.
The report comes after the government set-up an investigation board to look at the re-regulation of the market back in 2014.