Illegal gambling grows in Sweden
The government of Sweden announced modifications of the industry as illegal operations increased.
Sweden.- According to the Swedish lottery organisation, Lotteriinspektionen, illegal gaming operations keep climbing in the local market. Based on an official report released by the lottery entity, unauthorised casino and betting activities in the country have risen up to 57 percent during the 2012-2016 period.
A week ago, Casino News Daily reported that the Lotteriinspektionen Director General Håkan Hallstedt recommended the national government to implement a new gaming regime to allow fai competitiveness and a wider market, as well as further regulations to control a more “liberal licensing system.”
As the operator Svenska Spel controls the only licensed iGaming sector in Sweden, Lotteriinspektionen revealed that illegal companies have been offering alternative online casino platforms, which are not registered officially in the governmental regulation. Around 590 million dollars have been generated during 2016’s activities, although the Swedish authorities have not perceived any profits.
Last week’s statement by Hallstedt proposed a comprehensive regulation for the national market, including all gaming industries. Land-based and online casinos, iGaming platforms, lottery and betting operations would be integrated in a new framework, which could become effective by 2019, as the local press estimate.
Meanwhile, the Swedish government’s organisation Speletiska Rådet (Sper) has been restructured to become the latest gaming regulatory entity. The national gaming unit has been renamed as Spelbranschens Riksorganisation, meaning Swedish National Gambling Association.
