The Future Swedish Gambling Market: Challenges in Law and Public Policies

Abstract

Swedish gambling regulation has been questioned from an EU law perspective. While no changes have yet taken place, a reform proposal has during 2017 been submitted and the Government has in April 2018 passed a bill to Parliament based on that proposal. The new Swedish Gambling Act shall be based on a licensing system: anyone who wants to act in the Swedish gambling market must have a designated licence. The proposal underlines that the negative consequences of gambling should be limited and that extensive consumer protection calls for curbs on marketing. This chapter will discuss different aspects of gambling regulation in Sweden, especially in the light of EU law. Particular attention will be paid to the legal scope for reform, differences in taxation including the position held by public interest non-profit organisations, marketing and consumer protection.