The Swedish Gaming Association (SPER) has rejected proposals from the Swedish Equality Commission (SEC) to regulate gambling marketing in line with tobacco and alcohol advertising.
The dismissal is in response to the commission's August 2020 report sent to the Swedish Ministry of Finance, which called for sweeping changes to the Swedish gambling market to combat gambling addiction in the country.
In its report, the SEC proposed changes to the Swedish Freedom of Speech Act by forcing gambling operators to display warning messages similar to those used on cigarettes, citing the potential negative effects of gambling.
SPER denied the need for such messaging, insisting that there was no evidence of an impact on cases of gambling-related harm.
“If the government nevertheless considers introducing some form of warning text, it should only apply to advertisements for those games that, according to the risk classification, are considered to carry the highest risk of gambling problems, and the messages should be reflective.” SPER added.
The trade body, which represents several Swedish licensed firms, has also rejected SEC calls for a centralized, state-controlled platform for all online gambling in Sweden to monitor consumers.
Addressing this recommendation, SPER stated that the creation of this type of database would result in less channel separation and highlighted the regulator's (SGA) assertion that this type of database would be unmanageable due to the work involved in its development.
“The final report of the SGA also indicates that the processing of personal data that is to take place in connection with the national register of gaming limits is likely to be so intrusive in terms of personal integrity that explicit and relatively detailed legal support. in the registry,” SPER wrote.
"SPER also wishes to point out that this proposal entails significant technical challenges in the development, implementation and operation of a portal that spans all games," the trade organization added.
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