The Moderate Party of Sweden is calling for the end of the lottery monopoly Svenska Spel. It also wants to end bonus restrictions.
The party would like to see Svenska Spel divided into a lottery business and another that offers licensed games such as sportsbooks and online casinos. The latter should be sold to the private sector, it says.
The proposals were made in response to the governing party’s gaming reform bill that was submitted several months ago. The Moderate Party is the second-largest in the Riksdag (parliament.)
The party supports regulated gaming but asserts that “not everything went exactly right” when the online Swedish market went live in January 2019. For example, it wants to review the SEK5,000 ($492) monthly deposit cap for online casinos, which the industry opposes.
The party commented, “A market such as gaming needs long-term conditions and clear rules of the game rather than quick throws of the dice.” It added, “Therefore, the government’s regulatory possibilities should be reviewed.”
BOS (Branschföreningen för Onlinespel) the trade association for online gambling in Sweden, supports these reforms. Its secretary general, Gustaf Hoffstedt, noted that the Swedish Democrats also favor the ending of the Svenska Spel monopoly.
“I welcome the fact that the two largest parties in opposition now have been so clear about their intention to privatize the competitive part of state operator Svenska Spel, if they will form or support a new government after September’s general elections.” He added, “To run a commercial gambling business is not appropriate for a state.”
