The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) has signed a partnership with Branschföreningen för Onlinespel (BOS) to cooperate on topics of mutual interest such as the regulatory restrictions in Sweden.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the sports betting integrity body and BOS, will see the two work together on the challenges presented by regulatory changes in Sweden, and promoting effective betting and integrity provisions to maintain consumer channelisation.

BOS secretary general Gustaf Hoffstedt, said: “A clean sport, free from corruption, is of utmost importance for the gambling industry in Sweden.

“We are very pleased that we now deepen our collaboration with IBIA in our joint goal; that sports betting shall be fun, safe, transparent and honest.”

IBIA CEO Khalid Ali, added: “IBIA members have faced a number of regulatory challenges in Sweden since its opening and the betting product restrictions set to be introduced at the start of 2021 will add further burdens, notably relative to unregulated offshore operators.

“We believe that those restrictions will prove counterproductive and we hope that the Swedish authorities will take an evidence-based approach and continually reassess their position on this matter.”

Last week, BOS, the Swedish Trade Association for online gambling, urged the Swedish government to reconsider plans to extend the coronavirus gambling restrictions into next year, which include a maximum weekly deposit limit of SEK 5,000 ($579.46), introduced last July.

Hoffstedt condemned the decision, saying “it is unfortunate that we can only state that the government is now making a double mistake when it, with the same erroneous claims about increased online casino gambling, extends the restrictions.”