EGBA Says Swedish Gambling Laws are not in Compliance with European Regulations

According to a recent report issued by the European Gaming and Betting Association, Sweden needs to change its current gambling laws.

During the last few years, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) sent out several written warnings to the Swedish authorities, asking them to comply with the European Union’s rules on free movement of services, but no changes to the current Swedish gambling laws have been announced.

Now, EGBA secretary general Maarten Haijer is threatening to refer the Nordic country to the European Court of Justice, unless it gets rid of its gambling monopoly. “Evidently the best option for all concerned, and especially for Swedish consumers is that Sweden will commit to re-regulate its market and allow online operators to apply for online licenses,” she told reporters.

Changes imposed by rising demand

According to recent gambling news, Maarten Haijer said that a change in legislation is “inevitably the future”, due to the rising demand for gambling options on the Swedish market. “If the status quo remains, it is clear that the European Commission (EC) will have no other option than to refer Sweden to the European Court... The commission is clearly convinced that Sweden’s gambling monopoly is not in conformity with EU law.”

Last November, the EC took action against several states which failed to update their gambling laws according to EU standards. The gambling authority announced that it had its eyes on Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Poland and Romania, all of which need new and more liberal regulations.