The Swedish ‘Gambling Market Inquiry' is finished and submitted to Ardalan Shekarabi, the Minister of Social Security. The goal was to explore the ways in which illegal gambling and match-fixing can be stopped. After careful examination of the situation, the conclusion is that certain measures have to be implemented in order to improve the control of the options in the Nordic online gambling field. 

One of the proposed measures is a daytime marketing ban for those games that are considered to be high risk to the players. Also, they are demanding that the temporary loss limit of SEK 5,000 (£445) be made permanent. It's also suggested that Spelinspektionen should be more persistent in clarifying what's expected from the operators as well as creating the model for risk classification. 

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In addition to all of this, it is requested that all unlicensed gaming is excluded from the Swedish market and implement a licensing system for software providers. To aid Spelinspektionen in following market developments, a law should be enacted ‘with a duty to provide information to licensees'.   

“The state has a great responsibility to protect Swedish consumers in the gaming market,” noted Shekarabi. “It is both about shutting out gaming companies that do not have a license and ensuring that those who operate here with a license do so in a responsible manner. The Gambling Market Inquiry's report will form an important basis for the government's forthcoming measures.”

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The former member of parliament Anna-Lena Sörenson was at the forefront of a government-commissioned investigation concerning the re-regulation of the Swedish gaming market in January 2019.  

“It has been a complex assignment that has touched on a large number of different issues linked to the gaming regulation, which in some cases have required difficult trade-offs,” stated Sörenson. “I believe that the proposals we come up with today can both contribute to strengthening consumer protection and make regulation more appropriate.”

Gustaf Hoffstedt, the secretary-general of BOS (The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling) commented on the inquiry suggestions: 

“Sweden has invested in a licensing system with 102 companies that offer a high level of consumer protection, pay around SEK 4bn annually in gaming tax, invest in workplaces and staff, sponsor Swedish sports and contribute to Swedish technology know-how.”

“Banning licensed gaming companies from marketing their services to Swedish consumers while leaving unlicensed companies free to offer their services to Swedish consumers is a bad proposal. This only leads to reduced consumer protection and to erode the Swedish gaming market”

Creating a safe and secure online gambling environment in Nordic countries is extremely important. The proposed measures will help with regulating the black market and protecting the Swedish players.