Illegal gambling inquiry launched in Sweden
The illegal gambling inquiry will aim to block any unlicenced operators, encouraging local players to play on regulated sites
The Swedish government are looking into the possibility of launching an inquiry in their black-market gambling industry, including national unlicensed gambling and match-fixing.
This inquiry was launched by the Minister for Social Security, Ardalan Shekarabi, who also took the decision to 
put Gunnar Larsson, the director-general of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce as head of the investigation, as the government looks to find new ways to obstruct any offshore companies.
Ardalan Shekarabi opens up on why the government took this decision regarding the inquiry, by stating:
“We have a responsibility to protect vulnerable consumers from illegal gambling, but also to protect the [licensed operators] in the gambling market from unfair competition. Increased efforts are needed to exclude illegal gambling from the Swedish gambling market.”
The agreement to launch the investigation was backed by Branschföreningen för Onlinespel (BOS), the operator’s association as their Secretary general, Gustaf Hoffstedt, expressed:
“This is an initiative from the government that we welcome. The first two years of re-regulated gambling in Sweden has been marked by repressive measures from authorities and the government towards Swedish licensed operators, whereas unlicensed operators have been left untouched.”
The secretary general also admits that a number of Swedish gamblers are moving away from the regulated market and are opting for black market operators, which may be due to the temporary restrictions which were mentioned by Maria Mcdonald during the SiGMA Virtual Expo.
“Meanwhile a growing proportion of the Swedish punters have been abandoning the Swedish licensing market, with online casino as the most extreme example with a leakage out of the system of at least 25 per cent.”
“Considering the government’s goal is that at least 90 per cent of Sweden’s gambling shall stay within the licensing system by January 1 2022, that goal appears very distant.”
The crackdown of illegal sites will encourage players to gamble in safe and regulated sites rather than via unlicensed sites which could potentially take advantage of the players.
About SiGMA Europe:
SiGMA Europe will take place on February 16-18, 2021. Europe remains a leading market for gaming, making this the perfect opening gaming show for 2021. Join us for the 7th edition of SiGMA at the MFCC – Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre, and explore how you can benefit from being a delegate, a sponsor, an exhibitor or a keynote speaker.
