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The country maintains its stronghold on gambling operation - Sweden
Swedish poker enthusiasts, especially those playing online, have just had their runs tighened following the governments decision to prohibit an international gambling market. Indeed, the Swedish Gaming Board recently petitioned Apple to remove online gaming-related apps from its App Store. Subsequently, all foreign online poker operators and other gambling giants had withdrew their gaming applications from the countrys igaming platforms earlier this week. Of course, their services are no longer accessible for gamblers within the Swedish territory. Although this decision violates the European Unions igaming laws, Sweden apparently shows decisive commitment to keeping its gambling monopoly. Via the state-run company Svenska Spel, the Swedish government secures a monopolized market of casino, bingo and poker businesses, both online and land-based.
As written on the EU law, a member state cannot prohibit the operation of poker and online betting based on other EU member states. Sweden, following the request made by the Commission in 2013, was to take appropriate decision to make its law compliant with that of the Union. However, no change has been spotted so far. The issue was currently brought to the European Court of Justice (ECJ), the aim of which was to ask the Sweden to soften its regulations and ultimately put an end to the monopoly. Seemingly, the country has not wavered. According to a survey conducted by the Swedish government, Svenska Spel saw its revenues down to 8% in 2014 due to the operation of larger international betting sites in the country.
Source: Jack SMITH
Friday, 06 March 2015
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