Sweden grants first gambling licenses as part of reform efforts.
The Swedish Gambling Authority, Lotteriinspektionen, has issued the first licenses for gambling operations in Sweden. Out of the more than 95 applications received, approximately 70 were for online gambling businesses. So far, 18 companies have been granted these licenses, which will be effective from January 1, 2019.
In the summer, the Swedish Riksdag decided to follow the Danish example and open up the gambling market to providers from other EU countries. The new law allows the Swedish Gambling Authority to license these operators. The licensees commit to complying with player protection measures and are, in return, allowed to operate in Sweden with minimal restrictions.
Camilla Rosenberg, the Director General of the Swedish Gambling Authority, expressed her satisfaction and said, "This is an important day for gambling in Sweden. I'm very proud of the dedicated team here at the Swedish Gambling Authority who, under intense pressure and with brand-new laws, have managed to issue the first licenses."
Among the 18 licensees already announced are well-known giants in the industry like Betsson Nordic Ltd, Casumo Services Ltd, and LeoVegas Gaming plc. These companies will be able to operate multiple brands and online casinos with one license. Camilla Rosenberg, Director General of the Swedish Gambling Authority, was particularly pleased to see high demand for licenses from those companies that were already focused on the Swedish market and concluded that the implementation of Swedish player protection laws had been successful.
"It's great that so many applications have been received from companies already operating in the Swedish market. This shows that the goal of channelling legal gambling has been achieved." - Camilla Rosenberg, Director General of the Swedish Gambling Authority
Licenses are valid for 5 years, but may be shorter for certain companies
The licenses aim to improve taxation and enhance player protection in Sweden. The licensees have to implement a package of measures, including a banner with three buttons for pausing and self-exclusion, betting limits, and a self-test. These buttons must be displayed prominently by all online providers. If a customer requests a game break for certain games or the entire range, this is automatically enforced for all licensees.
Although the licenses normally last for five years, the Swedish Gambling Authority has the right to issue shorter authorizations for providers who have attracted negative attention in the past.
"In some cases, we want to keep a close eye on a provider. In these instances, we may issue a shorter authorisation to better monitor compliance with the regulations." - Camilla Rosenberg, Director General of the Swedish Gambling Authority
The licensing process continues and it is expected that more licenses will be issued by the start of next year. Lotteriinspektionen has stated that it will continue reviewing applications and granting licenses in the coming weeks.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
