Swedish online casino deposit limit to end

After three extensions, the temporary Swedish online casino deposit limit will end in November, but more restrictions may be on the way.

Sweden.- The government has confirmed that Sweden’s online casino restrictions will come to an end next month. The measures, which included a SEK 5000 (€490) deposit limit and SEK100 limit on bonuses, were introduced in June 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and have been extended twice, the last time in May.

This time the restrictions will be allowed to lapse when the current extension ends on November 14, but the government has ordered the national gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen, to submit a report evaluating the impact the measures had during their duration and propose new measures to increase player protection.

The regulator has until March 12 to submit its evaluation of the temporary restrictions and until October 31 2022 to submit proposals for new measures.

Ardalan Shekarabi, minister of social security, said: “Turnover in the gaming market has increased and online gaming has probably benefited from changes in consumption patterns since the regulation of gambling. There is a risk that this has led to a long-term behavioural change with increased gambling. 

“This is a development that should be followed up to see if there is a need for further measures.”

The online casino deposit limit was obviously unpopular with operators in Sweden, and it received strong criticism from the trade group BOS.

However, Spelinspektionen was also critical of the measure, saying it would have only a marginal effect and could benefit the unlicensed market. The restrictions also proved difficult to implement and enforce