Sports Betting Online in Sweden







It would be excessive to say that Sweden is among the countries where gambling activities have always been popular but yet, Swedish people seem keen on casino games and sports betting. It was not until the 1930s when gambling was legalized and all illegal operators were forced to exit the Swedish gambling market.


Is online sports betting legal in Sweden?


Online sports betting was officially legalized in 2002 when the Swedish government authorized Svenska Spel to serve as the sole provider for legal online gambling in the country. Since that time, the legalized sports betting market has been a monopoly with Svenska Spel the only "legal" option. In 2017, the government began plans to open up Sweden's borders to international sportsbooks. Earlier this year, the Swedish Gaming Authority announced that it would start taking applications for licenses from international sportsbooks beginning July 1, 2018.


Historical Overview


As far back as 1934, the Swedish government aimed to gain a handle on gambling. In order to abolish illegal gambling, a tightly regulated private bookmaker Tipstjänst, was established. With a solitary firm in operation, betting activities could be more closely monitored and controlled. In 1943, the state purchased Tipstjänst and nationalised the bookmaker. This model existed for over fifty years, until in 1997, Tipstjänst merged with a smaller state lottery and adopted the name Svenska Spel.

The latter is defined as the absolute monopolist on the Swedish gambling market. It provides casino as well as sports betting and lottery options. Changes to the law in 2002 allowed Svenska Spel to expand their offerings, with online bingo and scratch card style games legalized. In 2005, online poker was introduced, but still under the watchful eye of the Swedish government.

Over the years, a number of prominent operators have attempted to enter the Swedish gambling market but the Swedish Supreme Administrative Court rejected all requests. However, a new inquiry discovered that practically, the Swedish law does not contain a clause that prohibits foreign operators from offering online betting to Swedish residents.

In 2005, Ladbrokes tried to set up betting operations in Sweden but their attempts were swiftly rejected by the Swedish Supreme Administrative Court. In 2006, an official inquiry found that under Swedish law, there was no way of stopping foreign online betting firms from offering their services to Swedish citizens..


Law and Legislation


As you have already presumed, Sweden is not among the countries that gladly accept changes as far as gambling legislation matters are concerned. Nevertheless, severe restrictions are imposed and every operator or individual who violates them is at risk of facing a serious sanction. 

The Lotteries Act prohibits participation and promotion of unlawful lotteries as well as lotteries organized outside Swedish borders. 토토사이트 The prohibition of partaking in "unlawful lotteries" includes selling lottery tickets, advertising gambling-related activities, passing on prizes or receiving stakes.

The two main laws that regulate the gambling industry in Sweden are the Lotteries Act which was voted in 1994 and the Casinos Act from 1999. Both of these laws have made sure that the gambling in Sweden will be regulated strictly by the country's government and its regulatory authorities.
For many years, the Swedish government continued to shape its gambling policy around the model of total monopoly. Even though sports betting, casino games, lotteries and poker were legal in the country, the only sports betting operator that is licensed in Sweden remains Svenska Spel.

If a licensed operator violates the rules, in most cases they are given a warning. However, if the violation is too serious, they might even lose their license and face up to two years behind the bars.

Comments

  1. Thanks for sharing not only the good, but the hard and the bad as well. People look one way from the outside: accomplished, confident, whatever. It’s a gift that you share the fears and insecurities with your readers too. 토토

    ReplyDelete
  2. Took me time to read all the comments, but I genuinely enjoyed the article. It proved to become extremely beneficial to me and I am positive to all of the commenters here! 토토사이트365

    ReplyDelete
  3. I appreciate you taking time to share such valuable information. I had no clue on some of the things you mentioned earlier, thanks! 카지노사이트

    ReplyDelete
  4. Of course, what a fantastic blog and instructive posts, I definitely will bookmark your blog.All the Best! 파워볼

    ReplyDelete
  5. I would like to thank you for the endeavors you have made in writing this piece. I am trusting the same best work from you in the future as well. 파워볼사이트

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hey buddy, I must say you have written a great article. The way you have described everything is phenomenal. Thanks for sharing it. If you have time, please visit my site : 스포츠토토

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think you're so good at writing!
    Your writing was very helpful and quick to understand.
    I will bookmark it so that you can visit frequently. 파일루나

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment