According to the evaluation, the authority has so far undertaken only one follow-up inspection.
According to a new National Audit Office (NAO) assessment, the Spelinspektionen is not doing a good job of regulating Swedish gambling. Among other things, the audit suggested that the authority is not performing enough inspections.
The Spelinspektionen should strengthen their efforts.
Sweden implemented a license system in 2019, laying the groundwork for a contemporary gaming sector. Back then, the Spelinspektionen was in charge of overseeing the industry and preventing gambling-related injury and fraud.
However, the NAO claimed that the Spelinspektionen was performing far too few inspections and failed to base its efforts on systematic risk assessments. Furthermore, the council chastised the Spelinspektionen for failing to undertake follow-up inspections to ensure that noted flaws had been corrected. According to the report, the authority has only done one follow-up inspection.
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The NAO emphasised the potentially harmful aspect of gaming, arguing that the industry should be better controlled. In addition, the agency recommended that Sweden step up its efforts to combat the illegal market.
In addition to the black market, the government must clarify its gambling policies to address a burgeoning gray market and evaluate the Gambling Act’s scope of applicability.
The NAO ascribed Spelinspektionen’s laxity to inefficient resource allocation. Furthermore, the previous organization stated that the regulator has been overwhelmed with increased responsibilities and has failed to keep up. As a result, the audit office recommended that the government give the Spelinspektionen with the resources it requires to support its operations.
BOS Says Dealing with the Gray Market is Crucial.
The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS) also responded, expressing agreement for the NAO’s suggestions. The group was particularly worried about the gray market, which has been enabled by the gaming Act’s broad interpretation, which does not define all unregistered gaming firms as criminal.
For example, unlicensed operators who provide games in English and utilize the Euro as currency are theoretically allowed. Only those who provide games in Swedish, take Swedish cash, and actively target the local market without a license are deemed unlawful.
According to Gustaf Hoffstedt, Secretary General of the BOS, this structure permits unlicensed gray market players to devour the regulated business. As a result, the group advocated for a broader implementation of the Gambling Act.
As a result, it would become generally unlawful for gambling enterprises without a Swedish gambling license to accept Swedish gambling customers, and these organizations would be forced to geoblock Sweden.
Gustaf Hoffstedt, secretary general, BOS
The Spelinspektionen welcomed the assessment.
The Spelinspektionen also applauded the NAO’s report, admitting that more work still to be done. However, the agency stated that it has been working hard over the last few years, dealing with new regulations and obligations.
The agency praised the government for the additional financing in 2024, underlining that it is vital to its operations.
In 2025, Spelinspektionen intends to focus simplifying procedures, routines, and system support, as well as risk evaluations and assessments. The regulator has also undertaken organizational adjustments to better support its regulatory operations.
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