SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Swedish gambling operator Svenska Spel has had its licence extended by the Swedish government until the end of 2018
The three year extension will see Svenska Spel continue provide the Swedish market with lottery, betting, casino, slots and poker provisions and services for both online and land based gaming.
The licence has been extended despite mounting pressure from the European Union for Sweden to reform its national gambling framework in-line with European business standards and competition practices.
In October the Swedish Ministry of Finance announced that it would undertake a full review of its industry policies, detailing that new gambling re-form was needed in order to monitor international operators targeting national consumers.
Sweden remains one of the highest bet wagering nations in the European Union, state operator Svenska Spel has continually asked for tougher sanctions against unlicensed operators servicing the market.
However the full review of Sweden’s gambling framework will further asses the position of Svenska Spel monopoly operations if the nations market opens up. The state owned operator has recorded a year on year revenue declines against the rising take up of international operators.
Throughout 2015 Swedish ministers have urged the government to speed up the review process in order to implement initial policy plans before the country’s next General Election which is scheduled for September 2018.
