The Swedish Minister of Public Administration Ardalan Shekara recently declared, “The central government will regain control of the Swedish gambling market” with a new proposal for licensing gaming.
This is considered a “liberalization” of the gaming market, since gaming has up until now been a government monopoly.
Sweden is among several other members of the EU that have stepped forward to address the issue since the European Commission recently decided not to pursue cases of violations of EU laws related to gaming.
Among the proposed changes: requiring a license to operate in Sweden and to operate under Swedish laws; restricting those who don’t have a license from serving Swedish residents. The government also seeks harsher penalties for promoting or offering illegal gambling. It also seeks to create a new crime: gambling fraud, related to fixing sporting events.
The government expects to begin receiving license applications this summer.
