Swedish regulator to open licensing window July 1

Lotteriinspektionen will open the application process for new online gambling licences in the country in Q3.

Sweden.- Swedish regulator Lotteriinspektionen has announced that applications for new online gambling licences will be accepted from July 1, 2018.

The regulator has said that it is almost ready to present the updated version of the regulations, having spent the majority of 2017 collaborating with members of the wider gambling community, working on technical and general aspects for the new laws. The country is set to introduce these new laws for internet gaming on January 1, 2019.

The Director General of the Lotteriinspektionen, Camilla Rosenberg, has said that though there will be no limit to the number of licences it can award to operators, all applicants must meet certain criteria set by the regulator and the government.

Applications will also be heavily scrutinised on the applicant’s ability to provide a high level of customer protection, maintain good security and duty of care, as well as manage gambling activity in a responsible way.

Rosenberg has warned interested parties that even after the government has signed off on the final set of regulations, the law may not be clear at first: “I would like to say that the re-regulation is extensive and will take time,” said the Director General, “Not everything will be clear from day one; the entire reform will be evaluated over a three-year period.

“The Swedish Gambling Authority – transforming into the new gaming authority – will do its best, given the conditions we face, to make reform successful. Our aim is to be as transparent as possible and provide regular information about new details and conditions.”