BOS looks to positives as Swedish government upheaval continues

Sweden’s BOS has said the current travails affecting the Swedish government are a “positive” development for gambling operators as the trade body suggests potential for a regulatory rethink. Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven yesterday asked to be relieved from his post as Prime Minister from the Speaker of the Riksdag following a vote of no-confidence from his government. “From a strict BOS perspective – we don’t have an opinion in other societal issues other than gambling regulation – the development is positive,” BOS chief Gustaf Hoffstedt said. “The reason for this is that the incumbent Minister, Mr Ardalan Shekarabi, repeatedly has shown that he doesn’t have a functioning gambling market as his first priority. Firing a parting shot at Shekarabi, Hoffstedt added: ”The possibility to pick political points by criticising and make life miserable for the privately owned and international gambling industry always comes first, hand in hand with his willingness to offer state owned and/or state governed gambling operators special treatment.” However, the BOS CEO cited the potential for Löfven and Shekarabi to return in another government due to the opposition party’s inability to form a cohesive coalition government. Hoffstedt suggested that this governmental uncertainty would slow down the process to impose stricter regulation on private operators and give further benefits to operators with close ties to the government. BOS highlighted potential impacts on several government gambling-related initiatives, including the temporary restrictions affecting online casino operators, which are currently under consultation to be extended until 14 November. It suggested the potential for measures to be extended beyond this date would be severely limited by the governmental uncertainty, with potential delays to actions relating to the Swedish market inquiry report and the recent proposal to introduce a special moderation requirement for marketing. ”As with the Gunnar Larsson inquiry, we do not know which government and minister will receive the consultation replies. The continued handling of the proposal depends on what government and minister we will have in October,” BOS said. BOS revealed its belief that the Swedish government had intended to propose a more extensive gambling bill in advance of the next general election due to take place in September 2022, a process which is now effectively dead in the water. ”It is, however, impossible for the government to propose such a bill at the moment. Preparations may continue, but it is likely that the process is slowing down. This is positive,” the trade body said. If the appointment of a new Swedish Prime Minister is not approved by the Riksdag, an election will be called within three months to elect a temporary government which could be ousted at a general election taking place next year. Speculating on the potential consequences, BOS cited two possible governments, one being a centre-left wing government made up of the ousted Löfven which could see a return to strict gambling regulation. The second, the trade body claimed, could be made up of a centre-right wing government led by Swedish opposition party leader Ulf Kristersson, a development which could be potentially dangerous for the industry. ”Such a government will probably include ministers with a relatively positive and liberal attitude towards the gambling industry, but also ministers with a negative attitude shaped in beliefs of public health, religion and conservatism,” BOS concluded.