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Market Monitor Sweden : getting tougher all the time
The key difference between any proposed central registry and the Spelpaus self-exclusion register is that the latter is voluntary for the 54,000 people who have so far signed up .
Meanwhile , the data from various operators on activity in the Swedish market during the spring and summer when the first wave of Covid-19 was at its height hardly backs up the government ’ s assertions as to the need for the extra level of restrictions .
NO NEED TO PANIC
A study completed on behalf of Svenska Spel ’ s Independent Research Council on gambling consumer behaviour during the summer showed that overall spend fell during the early months of the pandemic
While this was largely due to the lack of sporting events taking place at the time , the research also found that though there was some substitution into online casino , there was no indication of increased problem gambling rates .
The only evidence that pointed in that direction was limited to the data showing that those who had previously shown signs of problem gambling did gamble more during the period .
The survey results chimed with the data presented in July from Svenska Spel itself , which showed revenue in the first half declining 9.6 % year-on-year to SEK3.7bn , with declines particularly evident in the sports betting and online casino segment of the business , where revenues fell by more than 17 % year-on-year to SEK829m .
As for the effect of the new deposit limits on activity , Svenska Spel ’ s main ex-monopoly rival AB Trav och Galopp ( AG ) showed that online casino revenue fell 6 % year-on-year to SEK78m . The company said there had been a “ clear slowdown ” in online casino activity over the period due to the measures , which it had previously gone on record as supporting . This isn ’ t surprising given ATG ’ s skew towards horse racing and sports betting .
Meanwhile , the results from the private operators for the third quarter tell a similar story of declines in revenue from Sweden . LeoVegas , in particular , was vocal in its complaints about the nature of the changes in Sweden .
“ In Sweden we are seeing a troubling development in which the unlicensed market continues to grow unhindered ,” the company said in its thirdquarter results statement .
“ A growing number of operators without licences are iGB Market Monitor