Lotteriinspektionen, the Swedish regulator said that the application process for new online gambling licences in the country will commence on July 1.Consequently, the country has all its systems go for the introduction of new laws for internet gaming on January 1, 2019, irrespective of the finalisation of the regulation.
As the regulator spent a considerable time last year working on technical and general aspects for the new laws, post the collaboration with members of the wider gambling community, it is almost ready to present the updated version of the regulations.
With regard to this, Camilla Rosenberg, the Director General of the Lotteriinspektionen, said: “There will be no limit as to the number of licences it can award to operators, but all applicants must meet certain criteria set by the regulator and the government.”
Applications will be scrutinised based on how responsibly an operator can manage gambling activity, as well as their potential to provide a high level of customer protection, maintain good security, and duty of care.
However, Rosenberg also alarmed that even after the government has signed off on the final set of regulations, the law may not be clear at first, adding that the reform will be monitored to see if further changes are needed.
Rosenberg added: “The awarding of licences and the dates from which they will be valid will depend partly on the quality of the applications and when they are received by the Swedish Gambling Authority. We will make a comprehensive assessment of both the application and of the company behind the application. I would like to say that the re-regulation is extensive and will take time.”
“Not everything will be clear from day one; the entire reform will be evaluated over a three-year period. The Swedish Gambling Authority – transforming into the new gaming authority – will do its best, given the conditions we face, to make reform successful. Our aim is to be as transparent as possible and provide regular information about new details and conditions.”
