Sweden has announced that its controversial deposit caps for online gaming accounts will end November 14. However, the Swedish gaming regulator Spelinspektionen has been told to “evaluate” measures imposed and suggest new measures to protect consumers.
The minister of social insurance, Ardalan Shekarabi, declared, “Turnover in the gaming market has increased and online gaming has probably benefited from changed consumption patterns since the reregulation.” He added, “There is a risk that this has led to a long-term behavioral change with increased gambling. This is a development that should be followed up to see if there is a need for further measures.”
The gaming regulator must submit a report evaluating the temporary measures by next March.
The Swedish trade association for online gaming Branschföreningen för Onlinespel (BOS), said it is concerned about inconsistency over regulations, but praised the lifting of the cap.
Ann-Sofie Olsson, acting secretary general of BOS said, “We welcome this decision,” said Olsson. “But we cannot stress enough that a sustainable regulated gaming market needs long-term and consistent, not temporary regulations.”
She added, “BOS is therefore looking forward to the dialogue that will come from the assignment the government has given to the Swedish Gambling Inspection, where the temporary measures will be evaluated.”
