BOS welcomes lifting of casino restrictions but vouches for permanent regulations
Swedish trade body determined to have its say as government tasks SGA with evaluation report
Swedish operator trade association BOS has welcomed the government’s decision to lift temporary online casino restrictions on licensed firms from 14 November.
BOS welcomed the easing of the limits in a statement provided to EGR but insisted that a sustainable regulated market requires long-term and consistent regulations instead of temporary restrictions.
The online casino restrictions were designed to protect Swedish consumers from gambling-related harm during the Covid-19 pandemic, which negatively impacted the revenue stream of licensed operators.
BOS earlier claimed that the restrictions, including a weekly cap on deposits and bonuses, caused channelisation rates to spiral as consumers went in search of more generous bonus and deposit rules in the illegal offshore market.
Meanwhile, the trade body also expressed its concern for vulnerable players who are being exposed to unlicensed operators and further emphasised the need for appropriate regulations.
“It is worrying whether fragile players are driven straight into the arms of players who are outside the licensing system and who market themselves by pointing the lack of both gaming responsibility measures and other consumer protection actions,” BOS said.
BOS expressed its desire to have a dialogue with the government regarding the assignment handed to the Swedish Gambling Authority, which must now evaluate the effect of the temporary restrictions.
“With knowledge, facts and co-operation, we want to contribute to the recent comprehensive re-regulation of the Swedish gambling market being successful and sustainable,” said Ann-Sofie Olsson, acting secretary general of BOS.