Swedish gambling authority could do incognito checks on operators following government proposals
The Swedish Government has released a four-point proposal that comprises measures against illegal gambling, match-fixing, and other crimes related to gambling. The proposal also includes an opportunity for the Swedish Gambling Authority, Spelinspektionen, to conduct tests whilst being incognito to gauge how certain operators are functioning.
Sweden’s gambling regulations will continue making it among the most robust and strictly regulated markets in Europe. ©Rajan Shrestha/Unsplash
The legislature and the supreme decision-making body of Sweden – Riksdagen – received the bill from the Swedish Government in the fight against illegal gambling and other corrupt activities revolving around it. The primary aim of the governing body is to make sure that unlicensed operators are not able to reach the Swedish population and attract them with lucrative exclusive offers. It also wants to put an end to match-fixing occurrences in the country.
The Swedish Government believes that the events could be inter-connected. A hefty chunk of money roped in from gambling could be used by individuals to manipulate sporting events on which betting is available, thereby giving rise to match-fixing. Before the issue amplifies any further, the Spelinspektionen and the Statskontoret – The Swedish Agency for Public Management – have requested help from the Governing body of the nation.
Swedish government responds
As a response, the government has submitted a four-point proposal in an effort to reduce and possibly end the threat of illegal gambling and match-fixing in the nation while simultaneously strengthening the shield that protects the nation’s players from unlicensed operators and other illegal activities surrounding it. The fight against match-fixing not only involves keeping an eye on individuals outside the sport but also includes monitoring athletes and officials.
The four measures mentioned by the Swedish Government are as follows:
- The Governing body wants payment providers to mediate and provide player-to-operator and operator-to-player transaction information. It is a tedious process in which the Government intends to block transactions between Swedish players and unlicensed gambling operators.
- The Governing body wants the nation’s Gambling Authority to go incognito at times to see if laws are being followed. This proposal sees the Spelinspektionen assume a hidden identity to keep a strict eye on the licensed operators, ensuring all the Gambling laws are being adhered to.
- The Governing body wants operators and associations to process data to step-up the nation’s anti-match-fixing fight. Licensed betting operators and several sports associations will be asked to process and provide the personal data of individuals that are suspects of match-fixing.
- The Governing body wants to give the Swedish Police Authority the right to access the gambling data of criminals. This proposal adds another obligation to the operator’s list as they will have to hand over all information they have regarding specific players to the Police if the players are convicted felons.
New plans to kick in from Q3 2023
According to the Swedish Minister of Financial Markets Niklas Wykman, who is mentioned in the press release, the changes are proposed to kick in from July 1, 2023, and will catalyze the nation’s fight against illegal gambling and other criminal activities that are related to it by establishing a better order in the markets and also safeguarding Swedish players.
Amidst the ongoing battle between the authorities and illegal activities, Sweden is among a few other European countries, including their Nordic neighbors Norway, who are setting the bar high for the safety of their players. As the gambling markets flourish in Sweden, the Spelinspektionen recently published its latest quarterly revenue report that showcased positive numbers that were primarily driven by online gambling.
Last week, the Swedish gambling authority said that the revenue coming in from licensed operators in the country recorded a 7% year-on-year spike. In the third quarter of the current year, the total revenue recorded was SEK 6.77 billion, which was SEK 460 million more than the revenue of the corresponding quarter last year.
In Q4 2021, the Swedish Gambling Authority recorded a whopping revenue of SEK 7.01 billion. This time around, with the usual sports competitions going and most club football events pausing for the World Cup, the Q4 2022 numbers could go through the roof.
