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Does the new government have less focus on foreign casinos?

 

Between the years 2018 – 2022, there was a big focus on creating the new Swedish gaming market. During that time, it was Stefan Löfvén who was prime minister. However, he requested his resignation before the end of the election period. Something that led to Magdalena Andersson taking over the role of prime minister.

During the reign of the Social Democrats, however, there was a great focus on foreign casinos  such as at https://svenskaspelautomater360.com. Something that after the change of government on 17 October 2022 seems to have decreased.

Does the new government have less focus on foreign casinos?

The Social Democrats' major focus on the Swedish gaming market

We can only say what the reason was for creating a new gaming law and a closed Swedish gaming market with its own gaming license. Here there are some who say that it was to create better protection for Swedish citizens. Others say that it was only about collecting gambling taxes for the Swedish treasury.

Of course, it was a combination of the two reasons described. As for the protection built, it really looks like they managed to build a very powerful consumer protection. Among other things, Spelpaus, which is a relatively unique national suspension register, was created here.

In addition to that, a Swedish license has been introduced, which keeps all unlicensed players away from the Swedish gaming market. Foreign casinos are not allowed to stay here, but anyone who wants to offer games on the Swedish gaming market must apply for and be granted a Swedish gaming license.

Heavy fines and fines for those who break the gaming laws

There is no doubt that the Spelinspektionen and the Swedish government put fear into most foreign casinos that do not hold a Swedish gaming license. Here, there are not many who dare to break the rules and market themselves to Swedish players.

Especially not if you look at the previously popular gambling companies with MGA license. In fact, both Estonia and Malta have agreed not to offer any bonuses to Swedish players. Thus, they have fallen in line with the wishes of the Swedish Gambling Authority .

Those who, despite all the warnings, have broken the gaming laws, have been heavily fined. The fact is that even those who hold a Swedish gambling license have committed gross violations. Mistakes that cost the betting companies 10 million kroner.

Ardalan Shekarabi put a lot of focus on the gaming market

As Minister of Social Affairs, Ardalan Shekarabi put the Swedish gambling market in focus. During the years 2018 – 2022, the Swedish player would be protected at all costs. That, both before and during the long Covid-19 pandemic. Here they even introduced a temporary gaming law that set limits for betting companies and players.

The temporary gambling law required playing specified playing time, as well as limited deposits and losses to a maximum of SEK 5,000 per week. The betting companies were also misled by offering bonuses exceeding a value of 100 kroner.

Of course, this has helped many Swedish players in the vulnerable crowd. Here, they have received stronger protection during the time they had to be at home from work or work from home. It has probably saved more household financial situations than we can ever guess.

During the period 2018-2022, Ardalan Shekarabi appeared extensively in various media, where he pushed forward decision after decision that limited foreign casinos and their opportunities on the Swedish gambling market.

After the new government took office on October 17, 2022, we haven't heard much at all about the Swedish gaming market.

Does the new moderate-led government have less focus on the gaming market?

Now a new government has come to power. This time it was the Moderates' Ulf Kristersson who was tasked with forming a government. It became a three-party government, which actually consists of four parties to get a majority to make decisions.

Here it is Ulf Kristersson and the Moderates , as well as the Christian Democrats and the Liberals who will be in the government. However, they will have a collaboration with Jimmie Åkesson and the Sweden Democrats. This is a must, for them to get their decisions through.

What seems to have come to the side of everything right now is the gaming policy, which we don't hear as much about at all. Is it then that everything has been forgotten and it is free for foreign casinos to ravage the Swedish market? No, of course not, but some say that it has become a little looser.

The Swedish gaming team is standing strong

No matter how we twist and turn it, it's just a government that has been replaced. We have not seen any changes in the game rules. The same rules and laws that came into effect on January 1, 2019 apply here. Something that still means that there is no room for gambling companies without a Swedish license on the domestic gambling market.

As a player, you of course have the freedom to choose where you want to play. Here, there is nothing in the game rules that controls it. However, it is not something that is recommended, as you have a much better safety net in the domestic gaming market.

All in all, it looks like it could be a bit freer for some gambling authorities in the Swedish gambling market in the future. However, it is not something we know, but it may have advantages to have a competition in a market, instead of excluding that possibility.

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