Shekarabi felt the pandemic would increase the risk of gambling problems and cause greater financial struggles, although the Riksdag’s Constitutional Committee has now responded.
The committee says the Ministers comments were “unfounded” and that this was what formed the temporary restrictions last year, which have been extended on several occasions.
According to the Government, the restrictions will now last until November 14, 2021.
Secretary General for the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling, Gustaf Hoffstedt, feels there was no need to make the comment about the alleged increase of online casino gambling.
Hoffstedt said: “Everyone has known that there was no basis for the statement about the alleged increased online casino gambling.
“It is welcome that the Riksdag's Constitutional Committee now confirms that. Ministers must have a basis for their statements; it is not enough to say things just because it fits into the policy you want to pursue.”
“The next step must reasonably be for the Government to quickly end these restrictions.”
In a statement, the Constitution Committee said it reviewed Shekarabi’s statement and concluded: “It has become clear that the Minister has based his statement on information that does not allow for a definite conclusion as to whether gambling had increased or not."
