Swedish government appoints black market illegal gambling investigator

Sweden’s government has instructed Chamber of Commerce director general Gunnar Larsson to propose strengthened measures against illegal gambling and match-fixing. In his new role as special investigator, Larsson has been tasked with “identifying obstacles and proposing solutions” to enable more effective supervision of and enforcement against illegal operators. The investigation will aim to comprehensively analyse the operational records, assigned duties and conditions of the relevant authorities in this area, including the Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA). For example, Larsson will be responsible for investigating the SGA’s claim that payment blocking of unlicensed operators would prove difficult to implement. “Trust and confidence must be maintained in the gaming market,” Larsson said in a press conference to confirm his appointment as special investigator. “We have a responsibility to protect, above all, vulnerable consumers from illegal gambling, but also to protect the serious players in the gambling market from unfair competition,” explained Swedish minister of social affairs Ardalan Shekarabi. “Increased efforts are needed to exclude illegal gambling from the Swedish gambling market. We are now also intensifying the work against match-fixing and organised crime,” he added. The appointment of a special investigator comes after several licensed operators called on the Swedish government to take increased steps against offshore companies following the implementation of temporary online casino restrictions. The SGA has also been criticised for failing to effectively monitor and combat the unlicensed market as channelisation rates have decreased. In his new role, Larsson will also look at strengthening anti match-fixing efforts through increased collaboration between sporting authorities. “The investigator must therefore, if necessary, propose measures to remove any obstacles to an appropriate information sharing between all relevant parties,” the Swedish government said. Finally, Larsson will review the work of the SGA’s anti match-fixing council.