Sweden: concerns over online gambling restrictions

The European Gaming and Betting Association says addition measures could force players to off-shore sites.

Sweden.- The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has raised concerns over the level of regulation and restrictions on online gambling in Sweden.

The Association has said that current restrictions will not only fail to protect players but will damage the wider industry.

EGBA raised concerns after Sweden’s social security minister, Ardalan Shekarabi, imposed additional measures to limit gambling activity.

The restrictions include a mandatory weekly deposit of SEK5,000 ($497), along with a SEK100 cap on bonus offers and set time limits on players’ online casino activities.

According to EGBA, the limits could encourage customers to gamble on unlicensed, off-shore sites.

EGBA Secretary General, Maarten Haijer, said: “In Sweden, gambling advertising spending is down and we haven’t seen evidence that average customer spend is up.

“Even so, there is no compelling evidence that arbitrary restrictions on customer spend have a positive effect on safe gambling.”