Sweden to implement new online gambling amendments in April

[The Buzz]

Beginning 1 April, 2024, Sweden is set to enforce enhanced consumer protections and heightened fines for Anti-Money Laundering (AML) violations through new online gambling amendments. In the culmination of year-end proceedings, the government streamlined all gambling-related changes into a dedicated bill, subsequently presenting it to the Riksdag (Parliament) for legislative approval.

In 2023, the Swedish government proposed new amendments to the Gambling Act of 2018, to improve consumer protections and customer care duties for online gambling licensees.

From SBC News:

Online gambling licensees will be required to assess and analyze data concerning a player’s health and financial status, deemed necessary to “protect consumers from excessive gambling.”

Approved by Finansdepartementet, Sweden’s Ministry of Finance, the proposed changes include an increase in penalty fees for gambling companies found in violation of the Money Laundering Act.

Currently, the penalties imposed on operators for breaching the Money Laundering Act are less severe compared to those for infringements of the Gambling Act. This amendment aims to settle high court disputes related to how gambling inspectorate Spelinspektionen had valued and imposed AML penalties.

The bill’s final provision introduces a new requirement for gambling-related telephone sales to be submitted to the consumer in writing. Any agreement not made in this manner will be considered invalid.

Read more here: https://sbcnews.co.uk/europe/2023/12...g-sweden-2024/

[ocreditor]

improve consumer protections = no privacy

[Former Member 21]

This is a positive step for consumer protection in Sweden. The new requirements for gambling companies to assess and analyze player data and to obtain written consent for telephone sales are all aimed at protecting consumers, while risking their privacy. The proposed increase in gambling income tax, however, could have a negative impact on the gambling industry.

[bookmakers2u]

Honestly, I don't think that Sweden's gambling authority cares that much about the players' health. The important thing for them is to bring in more money from the gambling companies.

Double standards

[Cash Bonus]

improve consumer protections = no privacy

Those are exactly my thoughts, mate. It’s quite stupid, really, and it seems that things are only going from bad to worse for this industry.

[justangel]

Those are exactly my thoughts, mate. It’s quite stupid, really, and it seems that things are only going from bad to worse for this industry.

It depends from the point of view. If you are a player screwed by an operator, you'll be more than happy to know that you are somehow protected. Even as affiliate you get that protection.

[justangel]

improve consumer protections = no privacy

If you are the impression that the government does not know what you are doing, then you are wrong.

[ocreditor]

Those are exactly my thoughts, mate. It’s quite stupid, really, and it seems that things are only going from bad to worse for this industry.

It's a shame that govs think they can do whatever they want to us like they own us or something... this trend is going on not only in gambling.. which is a big shame

[ocreditor]

If you are the impression that the government does not know what you are doing, then you are wrong.

True true...

[NoDepositCasinos]

Asking online gambling licensees to "Assess and analyze data concerning a player’s health and financial status"... What could go wrong?

They claim to care about the players, but they do not respect their decisions and give free access to their personal information.

Honestly, I don't think that Sweden's gambling authority cares that much about the players' health. The important thing for them is to bring in more money from the gambling companies.

Double standards

It's always about the money.

[Pokerface]

It's a shame that govs think they can do whatever they want to us like they own us or something... this trend is going on not only in gambling.. which is a big shame

Totally agree, this is a slippery slope that will creep to other industries.