Sweden Appoints Marcus Isgren to Lead Gambling Act Review
#BettingLegislation #GambleLike_Sweden
The Swedish government has appointed Marcus Isgren, chairman and head of the Swedish Board of Consumer Complaints (ARN), as the investigator responsible for reviewing the Swedish Gambling Act. This review comes as concerns mount regarding the effectiveness of current player protection measures and the exploitation of loopholes by unlicensed operators. Isgren is tasked with delivering a comprehensive report on his findings by September 17.
The Gambling Act of 2018 established the regulatory framework for Sweden's competitive online gambling market, which came into effect in January 2019. However, subsequent studies have indicated that the Act's player protection mechanisms have proven inadequate. Furthermore, ambiguities in the legislation have allowed some unlicensed operators to operate with impunity.
As Isgren begins his review, licensed gambling operators in Sweden will be eager to share their perspectives and concerns. The online gambling industry association Branschföreningen för Onlinespel (BOS) has urged the government to address what it perceives as critical loopholes in the 2018 Act. BOS argues that these loopholes hinder effective action against unlicensed operators who do not utilize the Swedish language or currency.
A recent Swedish court ruling highlighted the urgent need for legislative clarification. The court overturned an injunction issued by the national gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen, against payment provider Zimpler. The ruling cited a lack of "concreteness" in the definition of illegal gambling offerings within the current Gambling Act. The court noted that the Act currently defines operators as targeting Swedish players only if they use the Swedish language or list the Swedish Krona, a loophole unlicensed operators are exploiting.
Niklas Wykman, Minister for Financial Markets, emphasized the government's commitment to tackling the black market during the launch of the review. "Amending the Gambling Act to make it more appropriate is a priority," Wykman stated. "This is one of the single most important measures we can take to create a safer and healthier gambling market for Swedish players." Isgren's review will be critical in shaping future legislation aimed at addressing these challenges and strengthening player protection.
