Sweden’s online gambling association, Branschföreningen för Onlinespel (BOS) is not happy with the government’s plan to increase the gambling tax. According to its general secretary, Gustaf Hoffstedt, this move would be a huge Christmas present to the black market.

For reference, Sweden just proposed to raise its gambling tax from 18% to 22%. The new tax rate would be applied from July 1, 2024, but is already attracting the industry’s hostility. BOS, which has previously critiqued the government of not understanding the market and its vulnerabilities, expressed its disagreement with the measure.

According to BOS, the new measure will undermine the legal market at a very bad time as more and more players are now playing with black market companies.

Spelinspektionen, Sweden’s gambling regulator, previously said that it doesn’t have firm objections to the measure but highlighted possible repercussions. BOS, on the other hand, scrutinized the Ministry of Finance’s decision, saying that it was counterproductive.

The Ministry of Finance Is Giving a “Christmas Gift” to the Black Market

In an official press release, Hoffstedt said that his team rejected the proposal and slammed the Ministry’s decision.

The government can hardly time its proposal to raise the gambling tax to a worse time. We are in a situation where fewer and fewer players choose to play on the safe licensed market, and more and more on the unregulated, unlicensed gambling market.

Gustaf Hoffstedt, general secretary, BOS

Hoffstedt added that the industry would only benefit the unlicensed market and further undermine the legal operators. He concluded that the proposal was “the best Christmas present” the Ministry of Finance could have given to the black market.

That the government proposes to raise the tax for licensed gambling is the best Christmas present you can think of – to the unregulated and unlicensed gambling market.

Gustaf Hoffstedt, general secretary, BOS

Consumers Misunderstand the Market Too

In other news, BOS recently released a new study, highlighting the public’s misconceptions about the industry. Its findings showed that many players believe problem gambling to be a much more prevalent issue than it actually is. In addition, consumers across the country believe that operators keep most of the players’ money, which is also incorrect.

Hoffstedt highlighted the importance of correcting these misconceptions since they are the reason the public has been okay with tougher gambling regulations. This, he says, is hurting the industry and threatening its health.

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Scientific Games has once again expressed its commitment to responsible gaming education by backing the National Council on Problem Gambling’s annual Gift Responsibly campaign. This is notably the sixth holiday season the digital games, technology and analytics company has promoted the initiative.

The campaign advocates against the gifting of lottery cards to minors during the holidays, alleging that such gifts can lead to gambling harm. Exposure to such content from a young age risks normalizing gambling to kids and teaching them to associate gambling with festivities.

Scientific Games prides itself on being an exemplary company when it comes to responsible gambling. The company’s Healthy Play program, for example, provides a number of reliable science-based tools and practices that lottery operators can use to protect their players and prevent minors from participating in games of chance. The program was recently awarded a 2023 Communitas Award for Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility.

In addition, Scientific Games’ Responsible Gaming Study and toolkit provides further insights into the sector, increasing lottery literacy and encouraging healthy play. The company is one of the first lottery providers to ever receive global certification as a Responsible Gaming Supplier from the World Lottery Association.

Minors Should Never Play the Lottery

Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, praised Scientific Games’ commitment to promoting the Gift Responsibly campaign. He said that the company’s participation in the initiative will help to reduce youth problem gambling.

Whyte added that minors should not play lotteries, not even during the holidays.

Lottery games should never be given to minors, during the holidays or at any other time. Childhood exposure to lottery products can lead to lifelong problems, and youth problem gambling is a public health issue.

Keith Whyte, exec director, NCPG

Carla Schaefer, Scientific Games’ vice president of responsible gaming, also commented on the matter, praising the Gift Responsibly campaign. She said that the initiative aligns with her company’s desire to prevent youth problem gambling and promote responsible lottery participation.

Increasing lottery literacy gives players the knowledge they need to play responsibly and keep lottery games out of minors’ hands.

Carla Schaefer, VP of responsible gaming, Scientific Games

In other news, Scientific Games recently confirmed its plans to accelerate investment in its iLottery Content Hub. Several days earlier, the company released a Monopoly-inspired lottery game.

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