LeoVegas CMO: Extended Swedish restrictions will only reduce channelisation
Dersim Sylwan, chief marketing officer for online casino operator LeoVegas, believes recent deposit and bonus restrictions for online casino customers in Sweden have been detrimental to the market’s channelisation levels.
The restrictions were introduced on 2 July in an effort to combat problem gambling amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Swedish Government recently proposed that the restrictions, which include an SEK 5,000 ($436.75) weekly deposit limit and SEK 500 bonus offer limit, could be extended into 2021.
Speaking with Gambling Insider, Swylan explained why he is against the extension. He said: “The effect and results from the recent measures and limitations has been an even lower channelisation within casino.
“One key issue is that problem gamblers who in Sweden have suspended themselves from playing via the central self exclusion system have been able to continue playing with the unlicensed gaming companies, where there is no consumer protection.”
In addition to this, Swylan argued that the predicted rise in problem gambling which necessitated the restrictions did not materialise.
“Analyses of online gambling data revealed that although betting decreased substantially in synchrony with a slight increase in online casino gambling, there was no increase in likely problematic, high-intensity gambling and neither did total online gambling increase,” he explained.
Instead of imposing restrictions on the industry, Swylan suggested Swedish regulators should instead focus on penalising unlicensed operators “to ensure that all players are being monitored and taken care of.”
Gambling Insider delivers the latest industry news, in-depth features, and operator reviews that you can trust. Our team combines rigorous editorial standards with decades of specialized expertise to ensure accuracy and fairness. We are committed to delivering clear, impartial, and dependable coverage across the global gambling sector.
