Swedish gambling regulator welcomes proposals to enhance player protection, combat money laundering

Camilla Rosenberg, Director General of Spelinspektionen, the Swedish gambling authority, has welcomed new government proposals aimed at increasing consumer protection and combating crime in the gambling market. The proposals, presented to the Legislative Council by the Ministry of Finance of the Regeringskansliet, include the requirement for written approval for gambling companies to telemarket their offerings.

These proposals also foresee the imposition of harsher fines on gambling companies that violate the country's Money Laundering Law, aligned with penalties for violations of the Gambling Act. The government believes this will help combat criminal activities linked to gambling.

Additionally, the Regeringskansliet proposes that licensed gambling companies in Sweden should have the right to access personal data on the finances and health of players, aiming to combat excessive gambling and increase player protection.

Rosenberg expressed satisfaction with the proposals, stating: "We welcome the proposals in the referral that enable further measures to strengthen the regulation of the gaming market."

“It is also gratifying that the government has now heeded the Gambling Authority's proposal to raise the sanction ceiling for violations of the Money Laundering Act," she added.

The proposed amendments are scheduled to come into effect on April 1, 2024.