Sweden to Consider Online Casino Advertising Ban

Sweden’s government is going to ban advertising by online casinos and other forms of gambling as it seeks to tackle a rise in addiction, sending shares in the sector lower.

At the start of the year, Sweden tightened the rules for gambling firms and called on the industry to put in place a code of conduct to protect vulnerable consumers. But measures have not gone far enough.

“There is scope for the commissioner to recommend a total or partial ban on gambling advertising,” Minister for Public Administration Ardalan Shekarabi said.

The commission’s remit will include looking at whether to treat advertising of online gambling in the same way as adverts for alcohol and tobacco, limits on advertising bonuses, jackpots and free-plays and whether to limit advertising during live sporting events such as football matches.