Sweden
Considering Gambling Privatisation Move
May 29 - As a member state of the European Union (EU), Sweden has come under
increasing pressure to bring itself in line with EU laws governing cross-border
gambling and online gambling services, or face being taken to the European Court
of Justice.
The good news is that Sweden may finally be succumbing to the pressure, with recent
reports that the Swedish government is considering privatising some of its 'less
addictive' games, including its poker and sports betting businesses, as well as
its lotteries.
Up until now, Sweden has
stubbornly refused to open up its online gambling industry to the rest of the
Europe, favouring instead its own state-owned gambling company, Svenska Spel,
which is nothing more than a state-sanctioned monopoly.
For some time the Swedish government has been accused of employing
'protectionist' policies regarding Svenska Spel, and in doing so preventing
'free enterprise' from occurring with relation to gambling and online gambling
practices and services.
However, one gambling company, which is tired of waiting for Sweden to comply with the EU, has plans to open betting shops in the country.
The gambling company, Betsson AB is
offering a new private-enterprise option to Svenska Spel and all ATG retail outlets.
Said CEO of Betsson AB, Pontius Lindwall, 'We are taking this opportunity to
challenge the Swedish gaming monopoly as we see betting shops as an interesting
development of our business.
'Betting shops complement our online offering and
our aim is to create more freedom of choice for our players.'
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