The Move to Break Gaming Monopoly in Sweden
29th May, 2008
Sweden – Government authorities are seriously considering the sale of Svenska Spel’s low-risk games to other casino and gambling operators. Betsson, one of the leading gaming operators, tries to force the issue by announcing its intentions to open an outlet in Sweden by the end of May.
Svenska Spel currently holds the monopoly on casino games in Sweden. This can be considered as a clear violation of the European Union’s rules regarding the provision of services within the Union. Apparently, members’ borders should be open to companies and service providers from other countries in the Union. The monopoly over gaming and gambling that Svenska Spel has in Sweden is obviously against the principle of cross-border services, if this is the case. The European Court of Justice is aware of the situation and may call Sweden’s authorities to task over the Svenska Spel’s gaming monopoly in the country.
The Culture Committee of Sweden’s Moderate party has also made its sentiments clear on the matter. The Committee has written that the monopoly of Svenska Spel over all gaming activities in the country should be abolished and more casino and gambling operators – both local and foreign – be allowed to operate gambling facilities and offer games. Their objective is different from that of the European Court of Justice and other agitators against Svenska Spel’s monopoly over Sweden’s gaming industry. What they want is to maximize the revenues from the gaming industry. They want more casino operators and companies in Sweden. These companies could be charged a fee for operating a casino or gaming facility in Sweden; the revenues from such fees can then be used to finance the government’s projects for the improvement (and maintenance) of culture and athletics in the country.
In response to the pressure being applied both internally (from the Moderate Party) and externally (from the rest of the European Union and the European Court of Justice), the Swedish government has made a statement to the effect that it is planning to sell some of its low-risk games (note: low risk games are casino and betting games that are not very likely to lead to gambling addiction) to other casino operators. The low-risk games that will be sold to other entities supposedly include lottery games, sports betting and poker.
Perhaps as a challenge to the Swedish Government and Svenska Spel – not to mention as an attempt to be one of the first to be allowed in Sweden’s gaming industry – Betsson has announced its intention to open up gaming outlets in the country by the end of this month.
By Elena
