Swedish Gambling Authority develops new duty of care guide for operators
Regulator to clarify player-protection responsibilities and obligations of licensed firms with new document
The Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA) is working on a duty of care document targeting the greater protection of consumers in the licensed market.
Under the Swedish Gaming Act, licensed operators must ensure that social and health considerations are observed in their respective gambling operations.
This is to protect players from excessive gambling and to help them reduce their gambling when necessary and is collectively known as the duty of care.
A document is currently being developed by the SGA to clarify the responsibilities and obligations of operators.
It is understood licensees will be required to provide an action plan to the SGA detailing how the duty of care will be fulfilled.
Similar duty of care documents exist in many other European markets, including the UK via the Gambling Commission’s licensing codes of practice document.
The Dutch Gambling Authority has also launched its own duty of care guide.
Groups representing the SGA, Sweden’s Public Health Authority and gaming addiction associations have all contributed to the development process for this duty of care guide as well as representatives from the Swedish gambling industry.
Gambling-related harm remains a controversial topic in the Swedish licensed market following the government’s decision to impose temporary restrictions to online casino gameplay to curb a perceived rise in gambling during the pandemic.
The measures, which include deposit limits and bonus restrictions have been widely decried by operators over the potential loss in channelisation to Sweden’s unlicensed market.
Earlier this month the Swedish government triggered a consultation process on whether to extend these temporary measures from June 2021 to November as Sweden deals with the long-term consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.