The Swedish government has made changes which will see the gambling regulator Spelinspektionen require more detailed action plans for responsible gambling in a bid to strengthen consumer protection.
Under the changes, which are set to be implemented on 1 October, the Sweden gambling regulator Spelinspektionen will be able to set requirements for the content of licence holders’ action plans to counter excessive play.
Currently, the Swedish Gambling Act stipulates gambling companies with a Swedish licence are required to discourage excessive gambling on an individual level.
The law also requires licence holders to have their own action plan for responsible gambling, though the content of those plans often varies across operators.
Under the new regulations, Spelinspektionen will now be empowered to outline specific requirements for what those action plans contain with the belief a more regimented approach will combat problem gambling.
Spelinspektionen hopes operators’ action plans in the future will clearly outline their responsible gambling guidelines, as well as clarity on how exactly they will be implemented.
Changes expected to bring order to gambling market
Sweden’s Minister of Financial Markets Niklas Wykman hopes the changes will bring “order” to how the country’s gambling industry promotes responsible gambling.
“The new requirement should lead to more detailed action plans so that it becomes clear how the gambling companies take their responsibility to counteract risks related to gambling.
“This strengthens the Swedish Gambling Authority’s ability to prevent people from being affected by the negative aspects of gambling.”
The request for direct intervention on action plans was included as part of proposals in February.
This also authorised the government to impose a blanket ban on all credit-type gambling transactions, which is expected to become effective from 1 April 2025.
Sweden’s commitment to consumers
The tighter controls of duty of care plans are the latest step by Sweden’s government to increase consumer protection.
In December, a new bill was designed which increased penalty fees on gambling companies that violate the Money Laundering Act.
Prior to that, sanctions for contravening this were lower than those for breaches of the Gambling Act.
It also gave licensed operators the right to access personal financial and health data provided by customers.