Sweden considering online casino shutdown
In times of Corona it is difficult for everyone to deal with the topic. Measures and restrictions currently dominate our everyday life. Contacts are limited, locations and casinos are closed. We should stay at home and somehow deal with the boredom that consequently sets in over time. Whoever is inclined to gambling, the only option left at this time is to play online. The Swedish government is considering a temporary closure and new restrictions on online casinos licensed there. At a time when movement is restricted, measures to "protect consumers" are being considered
The Social Security Secretary, who is responsible for gambling policy, warned this week that "extraordinary measures" could be taken if operators close at a time when casino play is on the rise , do not take any measures to protect consumers.
Advocacy groups have greeted the prospect of the ban with dismay. In the last 14 days, online registrations for 17 of the 60 licensees have increased by 33%. A third of Swedish online casino players have recently unlicensed searched online. More and more consumers moved abroad due to the restrictive regulations of the market.
With the planned closure of online casinos, this would likely attract thousands more players to sign up to black market sites. After restrictive rules were introduced in January 2019, research has shown that almost a third of online casino players have already searched the black market for a more attractive offer. Swedish legislation has required operators to take strictly responsible gaming protection measures, but these are already in place. The temporary closure would only cause further financial damage to the market.
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Instead of this rash action, the focus should be on ensuring that the protective measures already in place are adhered to. Shutting down legitimate brands and driving more players to unprotected websites can't be the point. Since the beginning of Corona, the Swedish government has decided to deal with the crisis more relaxed than other countries. In retrospect, however, it was realized that this was probably not the right decision and so the restrictions were tightened there too. We can be happy that things haven't gotten that far here in Germany and that the use of our free time while "staying at home" is not further restricted by such ideas.
Should Sweden implement a closure or restriction on casino gaming, the latest market would be to take additional measures to protect players amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The UK Gambling Commission, the Danish regulator Spillemyndigheden and the Belgian Gambling Commission have provided advice to players to ensure they do not develop problems with their gambling. The European Gaming and Betting Association has now set out a set of guidelines for marketing during the crisis, which are being coordinated by a number of country specific associations.
The Betting and Gambling Council has gone one step further and has set out a ten point action plan for its members to ensure consumers are better protected. However, Spain has taken a more restrictive approach and imposed additional restrictions on Igaming advertising after noticing a spike in customer activity banning bonus promotions. Belgium introduced a weekly deposit limit of 500-although this has been on the cards since 2018. Sources claim it is not directly related to the Covid-19 lockdown.
