Swedish government announces deregulation of gambling industry
- allforyouclick
- 0
- on Oct 09, 2022
Swedish operators and players face further changes as the newly won government implements regulatory updates after settling into a more predictable market environment. New laws and more will surely be enacted next year.
The Swedish Gambling Inspectorate announced the effective date of the B2B supplier license and upheld its entry into force despite unapproved legislation. Spelinspektionen has informed iGaming providers that the software license application process will begin on March 1, 2023. Regulators want to get to work as soon as the bill comes into effect.
Further projects of the inspection agency aimed at establishing a responsible gambling industry in the Nordic region have been reported. The regulator also announced further successes for the country’s self-exclusion system, Spelpaus.
preach the importance of preparation
Sweden’s recent national elections have revealed that the government that introduced the B2B supplier licensing bill no longer has the power to enforce it. Despite government changes, Spelinspektionen describes a plan to prepare all stakeholders if approved.
The B2B licensing regime proposed earlier this year will apply to software providers wishing to supply casino gaming software to Swedish licensees. The bill suggested that the licensing requirements would come into effect on July 1, 2023. Spelinspektionen wants to get ahead of the curve with filings from 1 March next year.
The bill stipulates an application fee starting at SEK 120,000 and the legislator hopes the process will deter unlicensed firms from entering the Swedish market. Licensed B2B providers can only supply games to Swedish licensed operators.
The new government has already proposed other changes to existing gambling laws, but at this stage it is unclear when these changes will come into force. Spelinspektionen advises that approval of the B2B Supplier Licensing Bill will depend on a positive vote in the Land Council.
New government strengthens security protections
Following the coalition’s victory in mid-September elections, Sperinspecktionen has announced updates to its responsible gambling regulations. Days after the historic election, regulators have announced changes to certain in-game features to further protect Swedish gamblers.
The rules include a ban on autoplay features in online slots and a reverse withdrawal option. Spelinspektionen advised operators in this regard to inform players before implementing the update. Operators can no longer have pre-determined options with time, deposit, and loss limits, and any accounts with two minutes of idle time must be automatically signed off.
Spelinspektionen said of this swift change announcement:
“The aim of the proposed changes is to enhance player protection and simplify the licensee’s gambling liability practice by clarifying requirements. 』
said.
Before the election, the Swedish trade association BOS expressed its support for the new government, believing moderate parties would have favorable market-friendly views.
Warning to 80,000 Swedes registered with Spelpaus
Shortly after the regulatory update on player protection protocols, Spelinspektionen announced that the country’s self-exclusion registration agency, Spelpaus, has registered its 80,000th player. The national database was launched in January 2019 following the introduction of the country’s regulated online gambling market.
Since then, Spelinspektionen has launched Spelpaus 2.0 with updated programming and improved user functionality for ease of use and clear guidance on the self-exclusion process.
All licensed operators in the Swedish region must incorporate the Spellpaus system into their platforms and, according to an updated law announced earlier this month, are required to display the Spellpaus icon in their website lobby. .
It would be best if online casinos were legalized in Japan as soon as possible under the initiative of the Japanese government.