Sweden’s Gaming Regulator, Not Operators, To Determine Who Has a Gambling Problem

Article by : Erik Gibbs Sep 2, 2024

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Sweden is making significant changes to its approach to responsible gambling, placing more authority in the hands of the national regulator, Spelinspektionen. Beginning October 1, the Swedish government will empower Spelinspektionen to establish detailed requirements for gambling operators’ action plans aimed at preventing excessive gambling. This shift marks a new chapter in Sweden’s efforts to enhance consumer protection within its gambling industry.

Currently, the Swedish Gambling Act mandates that licensed operators discourage excessive gambling on an individual level. However, the specifics of how operators should achieve this have been left largely to their discretion, resulting in varying approaches across the industry. Under the new regulations, Spelinspektionen will be able to set specific guidelines that all operators must follow, ensuring a more consistent and effective approach to responsible gambling.

The changes are expected to bring greater clarity and uniformity to the way gambling companies in Sweden address problem gambling. Spelinspektionen’s new authority will allow it to require operators to include specific measures in their action plans, outlining how they will monitor, identify, and assist individuals at risk of gambling-related harm. The aim is to create a more regimented framework that leaves less room for interpretation, thereby increasing the effectiveness of these plans in combating problem gambling.

“There must be order in the gaming market,” said Minister for Financial Markets Niklas Wykman. “The new requirement should lead to more detailed action plans, making it clear how gambling companies take responsibility for counteracting gambling-related risks. This strengthens Spelinspektionen’s ability to prevent people from being impacted by the negative aspects of gambling.”

Niklas Wykman, Sweden’s minister of financial markets, expressed his support for the changes, stating that the new requirements should lead to more detailed and actionable plans from operators. He emphasized that this would make it clearer how gambling companies are fulfilling their responsibility to mitigate the risks associated with gambling, ultimately strengthening Spelinspektionen’s ability to protect consumers from the negative impacts of gambling.

These regulatory updates are part of a broader effort by the Swedish government to tighten its control over the gambling industry and increase consumer protection. Earlier in the year, proposals were introduced to give the government the power to impose a ban on all credit-based gambling transactions, with the ban set to take effect from April 2025. Additionally, in December, a new bill was passed that increased penalties for gambling companies that violate the Money Laundering Act, demonstrating Sweden’s commitment to holding operators accountable and protecting consumers.