Compliance Updates
Swedish Gambling Market Revamping
Sweden is taking steps to make its gambling industry more liberal as the gaming regulator has prepared new legislation that will welcome international operators to Sweden and allow gaming operators to function in a more liberal gaming market. A draft of the new gaming regulation was finalized last week.
Unlicensed gaming operators have been free to offer services in Sweden. The new regulation will make it mandatory for all online operators to obtain a license before offering any gambling services in the country. The new regulation is being put in place to protect the best interests of the country and its people, particularly gambling participants.
Right now, the Swedish gambling market is a wild west of sorts with little to no regulatory oversight. It’s the intention of Ardalan Shekarabi, the Minister for Public Administration, to draft up a new bill to regain control of this gambling market. According to the regulatory body of Lotteriinspektionen, their recent figures suggest that online operators that are internationally licensed control a quarter of the overall gambling market of Sweden.
The state government will control brick-and-mortar casinos, gaming machines and major lotteries outside of casinos. However, digital products like online bingo, sports betting, and online casinos will not be under the control of the state.
Draft Gaming Legislation Submitted To EC
Sweden’s current administration confirmed that they’ve recently sent a copy of the draft gambling law to the European Commission (EC) for vetting. There is a formal standstill period which is scheduled to end on March 20, 2018. If the European Commission has any concerns over the proposed draft bill, it will highlight the same and ask Sweden to make the necessary amendments. However if no concerns are raised during the standstill period, then Sweden will proceed with the bill.
The Swedish government has confirmed that it will start to accept applications for new gambling licenses from July 2018. The new gaming market is expected to launch on January 1, 2019.
Licensing Fees, Taxes, and Other Regulations
Virtual sports and online gambling will be open to all qualified online gaming operators once the new draft bill passes through. The licenses offered by the Swedish government are valid for five years. Licensed operators will have to pay 18 percent of their gaming revenue in taxes. This rate of taxation is within the range that many Swedish-facing online operators had found acceptable to run a profitable online gambling operation and successfully attract Swedish players.
The new regulation will also make it compulsory for international operators to have their gaming servers based in Sweden as well as in overseas locations. There are exceptions to this proposed rule, particularly on licensees in a jurisdiction that the Swedish government finds acceptable. Furthermore, operators who grant Swedish authorities remote access to their servers for the sake of inspections are also given a pass. Licensed operators based in the European Economic Area (EEA) should establish a Swedish representative in order to break into the Swedish gambling market.
Customer Protection and Unauthorized Operators
The bill that overhauls the way online and offline gambling is conducted in Sweden has two primary goals. First, it intends to protect the (Swedish) customer and his/her best interests. Second, it aims to punish unauthorized operators. For instance, when it comes to online play, all players are given deposit limits. Operators are forbidden to offer participants credit. Bonus offers are limited to first time Swedish players as well.
Sweden has strict gambling rules to protect underage gamblers. Land based casinos are only allowed to accept patrons who are over the age of 20 while online gambling websites can only process players who are over the age of 18. Licensees who are unable to comply with these new rules and regulations will be hit with penalties such as paying SEK 5,000 or even 10 percent their annual turnover depending on the severity of their negligence.
Further Punishments and the Bottom Line
Lotteriinspektionen has the right to force local Internet service providers or ISPs to slap the Scarlet Letter or a blockade on any unauthorized or illegal gambling domains. Financial institutions will also be required to block payments to these webpages or online gambling hubs. Operators who offer services to unlicensed Swedish punters will be subjected to fines and even up-to-two-years prison sentences.
The Swedish market will be discussed at the Mare Balticum Gaming Summit, which will be held on the 8th of May in Riga. For more details visit: www.marebalticumgaming.com
Australia
Crown Reinstated at Sydney Casino
The NSW Independent Casino Commission has found Crown Sydney suitable to retain its casino licence after nearly three years of intensive remediation.
Chief Commissioner, Philip Crawford, said Crown has come a long way and must now demonstrate its long-term commitment to maintaining suitability.
“The NICC is confident the Crown we deemed suitable today has a strong model to keep operating into the future,” Mr Crawford said.
The NICC’s suitability assessment established that Crown Sydney has fundamentally reformed its business and is operating the casino within the objects of the Act, the requirements of the suitability deed, and in compliance with its regulatory obligations.
In addition to proving it can run the casino lawfully, Crown has remediated its business in other meaningful ways such as building a culture of transparency and accountability across its integrated resort.
“Hard work and transformation aside, the NICC has not forgotten the level of misconduct exposed in 2021 when Crown was found unsuitable,” said Mr Crawford.
“Crown Sydney has ongoing work to reach steady state and it must continue to lift standards and maintain its cultural transformation.
“There is and will always be room for improvement, but Crown is a changed business that is looking toward the future.
“Likewise, the NICC is a changed regulator with enhanced powers, a singular focus on casinos, and a mandate to address the risks of harm.
“This decision is a positive outcome for Crown Sydney, its staff, and the community – who can be sure the NICC will use all of its powers to keep the casino in check.”
In addition to the implementation of hundreds of new internal controls, the Bergin-based reforms have been reflected in a new licence and new regulatory agreement between Crown Sydney, the NSW Government and the NICC.
These agreements include updated settings, such as the removal of fetters to the NICC’s powers, as well as previous compensation trigger clauses that are no longer part of the casino legislation.
Mr Crawford said: “Crown cannot disregard the responsibility and privilege that comes with holding a casino licence. Crown Sydney’s ability to provide a destination hospitality and entertainment venue underpinned by the restricted gaming facility is contingent on its steadfast commitment to continuing suitability, accountability and compliance.”
Australia
Venues Warned to Play by the Rules on ANZAC Day
Liquor & Gaming NSW is urging licensed venues across the state to plan ahead and have proper measures in place to ensure safe and responsible ANZAC Day commemorations.
Pubs and clubs can face additional challenges on April 25 that come with managing larger than normal crowds and the playing of two-up.
Two-up was a popular game among World War I veterans and, while illegal as an unregulated form of gambling most of the year, is legally played every ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day and Victory in the Pacific Day in their memory.
Liquor & Gaming NSW Executive Director Regulatory Operations, Jane Lin, said inspectors would carry out checks of licensed premises in Sydney and regional areas on ANZAC Day to ensure compliance with the state’s liquor and gaming laws.
“Two-up is a great Australian tradition and a way for people to come together at pubs and clubs to enjoy the ANZAC spirit,” Lin said. “While venues do not need a permit to host two-up, they are encouraged to fully understand and observe the traditional rules of the coin-tossing game.
“Licensed venues are reminded to properly manage potential risks linked to larger crowds, increased rates of intoxication, gambling disputes, extended high volume trading and special ANZAC Day liquor promotions.”
Venues’ advertising and promotions must align with liquor promotion guidelines.
More information about ANZAC Day in New South Wales is available at https:/ /www.NSM.gov. au/about-nsw/anzac-day-nsw. Two-up rules can be found at https:/ /www.LiquorAndGaming.nsw. gov. au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/858562/fs3098-two-up-factsheet. pdf.
Compliance Updates
Boldplay Awarded UKGC Licence
Boldplay, the renowned provider of premium casino games, has been awarded a remote operating licence from the UK Gambling Commission, to sit alongside their existing licenses in Gibraltar, Malta, Romania, Argentina, and Peru.
This latest development marks a significant step for the company and further solidifies Boldplay’s position as a trusted provider within the iGaming industry. The UKGC licence will allow the company to further expand in regulated territories, a key element of their growth plan, and establish new partnerships within the vibrant UK market.
Having fulfilled the criteria to provide services to UK players Boldplay is well-positioned for success. With a diverse catalogue of over 100 titles, ranging from slots and table games to bingo, keno, and virtual scratch cards, the company is well-known for its innovative features, including their trademark Boldplay Spins.
Speaking of the UK Gambling Commission’s decision to grant the operating licence, Boldplay CEO, Valli Fragoso, said: “We are proud to receive our remote software supplier licence from the UK Gambling Commission. This milestone reflects our commitment to providing high-quality, engaging casino games to licensed operators while upholding responsible gaming standards. We can’t wait for UK players to try our games.”
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