In the face of vocal criticism from industry groups and corporations alike, the Swedish government will go back to the drawing board on proposed laws restricting resident access to online gambling services.
Earlier in the year they proposed new laws that would ban online gambling operators outside Sweden from accepting Swedish bets, while retaining the local Svenska Spel online lottery. The laws included measures such as ISP and payment blocking (ala UIGEA) to restrict locals' access to foreign operators.
But the Government's consultation process on the new laws has revealed considerable disquiet. Submissions from the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA), Swedish football association and Swedish online media groups have slammed the laws as unworkable and potentially illegal.
An EGBA spokesperson said the law “would pave the way for a restrictive licensing system (which would not) meet basic requirements laid down by EC law and the jurisprudence of the European Court of Justice”. Sweden's approach to online gambling has already been scrutinized by the European Commission and the progress of these laws will no doubt be followed with interest by the EU executive arm. They are one of a number of EU Members, including France and Germany, who have already been subject to infringement proceedings.
But perhaps the most unpopular aspect of the proposed laws, were blocking requirements which are universally viewed as practically unworkable, overly burdensome on ISP's and payment facilitators, and considered by many to be an unwelcome government intervention on individual's freedom of choice.
“There was a lot of political sensitivity around some points, like ISP blocking, and a general negative reaction. The latest we’ve heard is that the government is retreating from the basic premise and that they might start again. Nothing has been confirmed but the reactions were so negative that we think there will be changes.”
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