Spelinspektionen, the gaming regulator for Sweden, has issued its first three licenses to gaming suppliers, SBC News has reported. The five-year licenses were awarded ahead of the July 1 deadline when it will be illegal for providers to do business with gaming operators without a license.
Spelinspektionen said it has so far received 60 applications for supplier licenses and it expects as many as 70.
This is somewhat putting the cart before the horse since the Riksdag, Sweden’s parliament, has not yet approved the enabling legislation—although it was introduced in November. It is still being considered in committee.
According to the regulator, the purpose of the licensing requirement is to undermine black market gambling in the country.
One enacted into law, gaming operators will only be able to do business with providers who have such licenses. The government said in a statement: “The proposals are not considered to have any other effects of significance for the license or licensee’s working conditions, competitiveness or conditions in general.”
