From May 7, there are new restrictions were published in Sweden. The new restrictions by Social Security Minister Ardalan Shekarabi, are possibly coming into force with the first of June. However, these mass restrictions on the Swedish market are not very welcome by operators who might have to leave the market.
Due to the lack of sports betting online casinos were spiking in Sweden. Ardalan Shekarabi was warning that there are going to be some restrictions, according to him, online casinos are one of the most dangerous forms of gambling. First, they were waving a temporary lockdown on casinos, but dropping that idea the new restrictions are quite strict too.
Limit on deposits – Mass restrictions on the Swedish Market
According to the new rules, operators will have to limit the daily and monthly deposit. Furthermore, they will have to limit the gambling time of the users too. The main point of a regulated market on the first hand is to keep players at trustworthy operators. Also, to keep their tax money in the country. However, with these restrictions, it’s possible that many will turn to offshore or illegal options. Once users quit the regulated Swedish market operators are also going to be in a hard situation and might have to leave too.
In Sweden, 87 percent of gamblers are using the regulated market. This amount has dropped to 72 percent lately. If Shekarabi’s new rules are coming to force this number can drop way below 50 percent. This wouldn’t mean fewer gamblers, it would only mean fewer users are monitored and that people are turning to the illegal or grey area.
Problem gambling in Sweden
In Sweden there are more women has gambling problems than man. Ulla Romild was leading the latest survey on the topic. All of the people with gambling problems in Sweden, there were 64 percent women. The amount of risk-at gamblers is about 3% of the population, while the ones with actual gambling problems are 1.5%. In terms of people, this means 100000 and 225000. Shekarabi made measurements for tougher gambling advertisements.
In April, he was saying: “More needs to be done so that those who are most vulnerable in the market are protected.” Well, I can not deny that, however, pushing people to unregulated markets wouldn’t solve this case. And with the 5000 SEK deposit limit that’s exactly what is going to happen.
Sweden is not alone
There are similar regulations ongoing in Finland. However, the only difference, that in Finland the only operator is a governmental facility. Nonetheless, the risk that people turn towards the unregulated market is the same over there. As it is now Shekarabi is very possible to stick with pushing his deposit limit rule by June. However, he is open to debate yet.
Once you are into gambling it is very important to play on the regulated market of your country. Tax income from gambling can be turned over for good things in a regulated environment. Also, people with problems are easier to monitor, there are further ways of self discussion, and so on. Check out the best online gambling bonuses, all of our deals here are filtered by country of legality.
