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The Swedish iGaming Industry in 2030: The Experts Predict the Future
It has now been five years since Sweden re-regulated its online casino market. In this qualitative study, Jonas Virtanen at Slotsoo interviewed people with different roles in the industry. From a researcher, an operator and an affiliate, to a writer and a veteran player. Here is how the experts think the Swedish iGaming Market will look like in 2030.
The participants in the study:
* Romix Limited – Casino Operator
* Anders Nilsson – Gambling Researcher
* Pelle Rylander – Veteran Player
* Johan Hansson – Expert Writer
* Maria Johnsson – Affiliate Marketer
The participants were selected to get as wide perspective from Sweden’s iGaming industry as possible. The study, Den Svenska Spelbranschen 2030, was conducted in Swedish and the interview questions were sent out via e-mail in May. The selected were given one month to answer and the participation rate for the study was 35%. Here is a translated version of the study for the international audience.
The Channelization Rate Highly Dependent on Government Actions
The industry agrees that the government’s actions is what will affect the channelization rate the most. Although opinions differ regarding what direction the development will go.
The casino operator Romix Limited says that everything depends on whether licensed operators will be given the opportunity to compete under the same conditions as operators without the Swedish license. By easing the requirements for casinos with a license and giving the Spelinspektionen more muscle to fight unlicensed alternatives, the state can get more and more players to stick to the local license.
Some respondents such as the writer Johan Hansson are optimistic that this will happen. He highlights that it will always be easier to play on Swedish casinos, thanks to familiar payment methods and Swedish-language support, and therefore believes that the channelization rate will be at least 80% in 2030.
Game researcher Anders Nilsson points out that there are two different ways of calculating the degree of channelization (turnover or people) and that it is important to distinguish between them in discussions. According to him, there will always be people who want to play at foreign casinos but with the right strategy there can be a marginal improvement.
Other respondents believe that it is more likely that gambling at casinos without a Swedish license will increase in the next seven years. This is how Pelle Rylander, who has been an active casino player for many years, answers:
“The fact that about 75% play at Swedish licensed casinos is said to be because they choose safety over bonuses and loyalty programs, which I think is pure propaganda from the state. Were Mr Green, Betsson and the others less reliable when their license was from Malta? When people realize that ‘unlicensed’ casinos are as safe as the Swedish ones, more and more people will turn to them.”
The Majority Believe that Sweden Will Have More Relaxed Bonus Rules in 2030
Only gambling researcher Anders Nilsson believes that Sweden will not let go of its bonus restriction (one bonus per player per license holder). Maria Johnsson, Johan Hansson and Pelle Rylander instead predict that the state will have to relax the rules in order to keep the players.
Romix Limited, which operates Betinia, Campobet and YoYo Casino, is critical of the current limitation of ‘one bonus per license’. The rule is not good for the gaming experience and causes Swedes to search for new sites. Since this bonus restriction does not exist in other countries, it also gives foreign sites a big advantage.
Many players are also unaware that the limit applies per license holder and the operator often receives complaints from disappointed customers who thought they could get a welcome bonus per site despite the company being clear about the limitation in its bonus terms.
Romix Limited is asking politicians and decision-makers to review the bonus restrictions and develop a continued responsible, but less restrictive, model. More bonuses, with reasonable restrictions on, for example, wagering requirements would improve the players’ experience.
Johan Hansson goes along the same lines and reminds that not all casino bonus types are equal from a responsible gambling perspective:
“It’s not the bonuses that create gambling addiction, it’s the VIP and loyalty programs. It would be good to review the system so that Swedish casinos have the opportunity to offer more deposit bonuses but not based on how much you played for. I think we will see more bonuses in 2030 to keep Swedish players on the Swedish market.”
The Swedish Casino Drought Is Predicted to Continue
It has been a long time since Sweden saw new casinos being launched and the respondents agree that this drought will continue. Johan Hansson does not believe that there will be any significant difference in the number of licensed gambling companies before there are relaxations in the bonus rules.
Pelle Rylander predicts that the number of casinos will decrease slightly around New Year’s when many of the operators’ licenses expire. He guesses that in 2030 there will only be 45 to 50 operators left (in June of 2023 the number was 57). Maria Johnsson follows a similar train of thought and mentions that so far only one new casino has been launched in 2023 and that was from Svenska Spel.
Romix Limited sees two trends that even out the numbers. On one hand, more and more operators choose to obtain separate licenses for their various casino sites. But on the other hand, there is a continued consolidation of the gambling market happening through mergers and acquisitions while the fierce competition is forcing some players to leave the market.
Anders Nilsson also does not believe that many completely new players will appear, either on the operator or supplier front, precisely because of today’s competitive situation with some very strong players.
The industry is sceptical of the new license requirement for game providers, which the government introduced with the aim of making unlicensed casinos less attractive. Johan Hansson believes that it could have the opposite effect in case many game providers choose to skip Sweden in the future. Maria Johnsson also predicts possible loopholes to escape the requirement:
“It all depends on how well Spelinspektionen will ensure that the rules are followed and how far the Swedish law’s tentacles extend to foreign casinos that do not target the Swedish market. Perhaps game providers will create separate subsidiaries so that they can continue to offer everyone’s favorite games abroad without having to fear sanctions.”
The Sale of Svenska Spel Is Unlikely but Not Impossible
The industry has long pressured the state to sell Svenska Spel’s online casino and sports betting division. The mood ahead of 2030 is cautiously hopeful among the study participants. Romix Limited mentions that everything is for sale at the right price but that there will not be a deal in the near future given that Svenska Spel delivers a steady income to its owners.
Pelle Rylander also believes that the state will stick to its cash cow. He replies that a sale seems remote given that in the Spring they launched the new brand Momang casino. Maria Johnsson agrees and believes that Svenska Spel will maintain its position as number one for many years to come.
Johan Hansson believes that it is problematic for the state to run its own online casino operation at the same time that they are legislators and rule makers. He therefore believes that Svenska Spel will sell its competitive operations before the end of the decade. Anders Nilsson believes that much depends on the winners in the next general election:
“Whether parts of Svenska Spel are sold or not depends largely on political priorities. It is, after all, a profitable state-owned company whose income must then be taken from somewhere else. If the current constellation continues even after the next election, it is probably not at all impossible that it will be sold.”
The Industry’s Final Warning: Don’t Regulate the Market Too Hard
In the study’s final open question, the interviewed were allowed to come up with free speculations about how the gaming industry will change by the year 2030.
Anders Nilsson guesses that Spelinspektionen will be more eager to hand out fines in its fight to improve the channelization. He also believes that lawmakers will look more closely at affiliate advertising and other areas not currently covered by gambling laws. In addition, he mentions that in the future we will see more research based on actual data from the casino operators.
Maria Johnsson also believes that the gambling affiliate business will be put under the microscope in the coming years. Her prediction is also that LiveSpins will be launched in Sweden. (This new way of playing involves joining a live streamer’s game session and then you can spin slots and chat together).
Pelle Rylander speculates that the licensed gaming companies will find new ways to sneak around the bonus restrictions, similar to casino exclusive jackpots and free tournaments that some companies already offer today. He also believes that we will see artificial intelligence (AI) used to a greater extent to interpret and analyze player habits.
Johan Hansson, in turn, predicts that more rules will be introduced against AI. He also says that there is a risk that the state will regulate so hard that the companies choose to leave Sweden. Romix Limited has similar predictions and urges policy makers to think carefully before imposing even more restrictions:
“We would imagine that given the current, somewhat negative, political climate surrounding online gambling that can also be observed in other countries could lead to further restrictions being introduced. For example, when it comes to restrictions on the marketing of gambling. We do hope that policy makers will see the benefits of encouraging having an attractive, competitive and vibrant market that seeks to retain players within the safe and stable license system.”
Latest News
7-Eleven selects Jackpot.com as their official lottery partner
Online Lottery Courier Service Jackpot.com Announces Exclusive Collaboration with 7-Eleven, Inc.
Jackpot.com will serve as the official lottery courier service of 7-Eleven, Inc., initially launching in Ohio and Massachusetts
Jackpot.com – the online lottery courier service that allows consumers to purchase official state lottery tickets on their phone, tablet, or computer – announced today an exclusive collaboration with 7-Eleven Inc., the largest convenience store chain in the world, to serve as their official lottery courier service.
As part of the collaboration, 7-Eleven customers in Ohio and Massachusetts will be able to sign up and play lottery games and scratchers on the Jackpot.com app or website. The program will initially be launched in over 600 7-Eleven and Speedway stores in Ohio and Massachusetts, with a special launch promotion that gives 7-Eleven customers a free lottery ticket on their first deposit by using promo code, “7Eleven”.
“We’re thrilled to work with 7-Eleven, the leading retailer of lottery tickets in the country,” said Akshay Khanna, CEO and co-founder of Jackpot.com. “Leveraging our technology and innovation, we can provide additional convenience for their customers, while adding an additional source of revenue. A true win-win relationship for all.”
By launching in Ohio and Massachusetts in 2023 and 2024, respectively, Jackpot.com aims at adding another avenue for player convenience with one of the most widely recognized brands in the convenience-retailing space. With a presence in Ohio, the nation’s seventh-largest lottery market, and Massachusetts, whose state lottery produced $1.2 billion in net profit for the Commonwealth during the 2024 fiscal year, Jackpot.com’s collaboration with 7-Eleven represents an added layer of accessibility for players.
Jackpot.com remains committed to responsible play and has significantly invested in protocols by allowing customers of legal age to set spend limits and limits on daily deposits, all while providing access to local and national responsible gambling resources, self-exclusion, self-suspension and automated notifications that offer help should problematic behavior be detected. Jackpot.com is also the only lottery courier service to launch with an iCap certification from the National Council on Problem Gambling.
To learn more, visit jackpot.com. First-time users can also download the official Jackpot.com Lottery App on the iOS or Android App Stores, where available.
eSports
The World Esports Summit 2024 Is Here!
The IESF World Esports Summit returns this December to Busan, South Korea. Hosted at the Busan Esports Arena (BRENA) from December 5-6, the Summit will bring together prominent figures from Esports, global brands, government officials, and sports executives for a deep dive into the current Esports trends, its rapid transformations, and future challenges.
This year’s theme, “Building Bridges, Not Barriers, Through the Power of Esports,” will highlight the role of Esports in uniting cultures, ideas, and industries. Under the slogan “We Empower Success,” the
Summit provides a great platform for Esports experts to engage in meaningful discussions and sessions, sharing their insights on trends and presenting forward-looking ideas for our industry.
The event, strategically timed at the close of the competitive season, presents a perfect environment for reflection on the year’s biggest events, industry shifts, and the next steps for Esports. Attendees can follow the expert’s perspectives on topics like:
- (R)Evolution in Esports
- East Meets West
- Esports Integrity: The Role of Referees
- The Rise of International Esports Competitions
- (In Korean) Korea’s Secret Sauce etc.
Also, featured at this year’s event are the IESF World Esports Training Camp and the World Esports Referee Academy.
These are very important IESF programs that are aimed at advancing the skills and professional standards of the next generation of Esports leaders.
Join us in Busan for two days designed to inspire, connect, and empower the international Esports community.
Registration for the World Esports Summit is free and open to all interested attendees.
To register, please complete our online registration form: iesf.formstack.com/forms/wes2024_participation_registration
See you in Busan!
eSports
Akhil Sarin CMO at Easygo named as key note at ICE Esports Conference
Clarion Gaming has confirmed that Akhil Sarin CMO at Easygo, the technology powerhouse behind the success of global brands Stake and Kick will headline the Esports & Games Conference (EGC) taking place on 21 January as part of the ICE Barcelona experience. As a key member of the executive team, Akhil Sarin has been instrumental in securing the high-profile partnerships that have accelerated Stake’s growth, including the Stake F1 team, UFC, Drake, and Premier League Everton FC.
Through these strategic alliances he has amplified Stake’s brand presence at the same time as creating unique, immersive player experiences, in the process setting new industry benchmarks.
Announcing the high profile speaker Will Harding, Head of Esports at Clarion Gaming said: “Securing Akhil Sarin as EGC key note at ICE Barcelona represents a remarkable opportunity for our attendees to gain invaluable insight into cutting-edge strategies in digital and influencer marketing .
“Akhil’s expertise with Stake and Kick.com embodies the forward-thinking, innovative approach that defines the digital marketing landscapes. His participation underscores the calibre of knowledge-sharing that we are committed to delivering at ICE and he is sure to both inspire our attendees and elevate their strategic perspective.”
Looking ahead to ICE Barcelona, Akhil Sarin stated: “Collaborating with Clarion Gaming at ICE Barcelona is an exciting opportunity to showcase Stake’s journey and continued focus on bold partnerships and creative marketing strategies that resonate with audiences.”
He added “The EGC is a vital platform for exchanging transformative ideas and shaping the future of gaming and entertainment. I look forward to discussing Stake’s vision and collaborating with industry leaders to inspire growth and innovation across the sector.”
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