BOS requests Swedish Ministry of Finance to rethink industry inquiry
The call comes following an investigation into unregulated gaming by the local regulator.
Key point:
– The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS) has asked the Ministry of Finance to reconsider its industry inquiry
– Stakeholders feel the current inquiry, to be led by investigator Marcus Isgren, will not cover everything needed to tackle low channelisation
The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS) has sent a letter to the Ministry of Finance to propose a new gambling industry inquiry, specifically to propose measures to strengthen the legal and licensed industry sector.
The call comes after the Swedish gaming regulator, Spelinspektionen, found that 15% of online betting was unregulated, with only an 85% channelisation rate in the nation. This was below the 90% goal set by the regulator, and while betting exceeded this goal, with a rate of 92-96%, the overall result was brought down dramatically by online casino, with a channelisation rate of 72-82%.
Moreover, government investigator Marcus Isgren is set to present his proposal to improve channelisation in September. However, this will be but one suggested adjustment – not enough for any significant change, according to most stakeholders.
BOS has therefore written a letter with a new proposal. It reads:
‘We propose that the Government appoint a new inquiry, preferably a broad parliamentary inquiry with an accompanying expert reference group, which will be tasked with investigating measures to strengthen channelisation in the gambling market, both promotional and repressive.
‘The time horizon of the inquiry will probably extend beyond next year’s parliamentary elections, but with parliamentary participation in the inquiry, its proposals should be able to hold up regardless of the outcome of the parliamentary elections.
‘The investigator Marcus Isgren seems to have done a good job with the limited assignment of reviewing the scope of application. He could probably be one of several suitable candidates as an investigator for a new, broader gambling investigation.
‘BOS and our member companies are at your disposal in the event that the Ministry of Finance wishes to discuss this proposal from us further.’
In addition to the letter, BOS Secretary General Gustaf Hoffstedt said: “The appointment of a broad inquiry tasked with preventing leakage to the unlicensed gambling market would undoubtedly be this Government’s most important measure to protect and strengthen the legal, regulated gambling market, before Sweden goes to the polls in September next year.”
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