Gustaf Hoffstedt, secretary general for the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling, has warned that the state needs to take “vigorous measures” to protect and safeguard its own re-regulation.
Sweden’s Gaming Inspectorate reported last week that the proportion of licensed games in the competitive segment – mainly online casinos, sports betting and games on horses – is now estimated at 85-87 per cent, with the remaining proportion representing the grey and black market.
This is a decrease in the channelling from the Gaming Inspectorate's previous estimate, which was 91 per cent. The Government's channelling goal is for at least 90 per cent of the gaming to be channelled to gaming companies licensed in Sweden.
Hoffstedt said: “No one who has noted all the political outlays as well as the soaring fines for licensed gaming companies can be surprised at this development. I also believe that this is a trend. If the state does not take vigorous measures to protect and safeguard its own re-regulation, I think the channelling will decline further.
“Worth noting is that the channelling estimate of 85-87 per cent includes all competitive games, including games on horses. It is a game form that is a de facto monopoly with an estimated channelisation of 99 per cent. Consequently, it looks even worse in the online casino and sports betting segments.
“In that situation, even discussing marketing restrictions for licensed online casino companies and prohibiting licensed betting companies from offering popular betting markets – such as which player makes the first goal – shows that the state does not realise the seriousness.
“Such restrictions are the same as giving away the Swedish gaming market to unlicensed gaming companies. Currently, the state acts as the best friend of the grey and black market and it must come to an end.”
