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EC Reacts Slowly

The European Commission (EC) has a tough job, and unfortunately for the online casino industry, the EC is a slow moving beast. Countries that are ignoring the free trade policies in regards to internet gambling are causing a long-term problem. The short term fix has now passed and Sweden has refused the EC’s requests to lift restrictions on internet gambling in the country. Now, if the EC denies the country’s justification for the online casino restrictions the case could be brought to court – a process that would take two or more years before reaching resolution. The Court of Justice is used to uphold the policies of countries within the European Union, and only when the EC cannot affect the necessary changes without legal action.

The Swedish government claims that the online casino gambling restrictions are for the protection of the players and to prevent criminal activity, but others allege that politics and money are the real reasons behind the continued government monopoly over internet gambling. Concerning the politics, an unidentified source commented to a gambling review site about the online casinos monopoly situation : “There is friction within the government because it got to power by promising tax cuts on real estate and wealth. By holding onto Svenska Spel’s monopoly for at least another two years, it keeps in place huge tax revenues which make up the shortfall from any cut in other taxes. The government knows the European Commission is a slow moving animal so really this is a cynical move to play for time.”

And as for the high revenue return in the online casino industry, the Chief Executive at Unibet, Petter Nylander, speculation on another reason for the government’s refusal to allow outside gambling companies access to Swedish players. Nylander notes, “It looks like the market will be opened up by the European Commission rather than the government and it doesn’t make any political logic. However, from a financial point of view, the [country’s] gambling monopoly is one of the biggest cash cows for the government and it doesn’t want to change the current set up.”

The final decision about Sweden’s monopoly could take years to make its way through the court, but one fact is sure, it will all come down to the court’s interpretation of Article 49 of the European Treaty.