On Oct. 31, 2024, SWE GVT issued legislative referral on decommissioning casinos.
Changes to remove gambling form of gambling at casino from state gambling license.
Since state gaming license is only form of license that covers casino gaming, proposal means that no operator will be able to obtain license to provide casino gaming.
I.e. in special room for casino games; SWE GVT reminds that any provision of games for money without the necessary license is illegal.
Consequence: casino currently run by company Casino Cosmopol AB will be closed.
SWE GVT also proposes Gambling Inspectorate, in capacity of supervisory authority in area of money laundering over operators running gambling activities with license or registration per Gambling Act 2018:1138, should be able to issue certain regulations.
This applies to regulations which mean business operators must provide information re their business, customers and other conditions, either periodically or at request.
Amendments to law re casino gambling proposed to enter into force on Jan. 1, 2026; amendment relating to a new right of prescription set to enter into force Jul. 1, 2025.
SWE GVT published a memorandum which contains proposals for the dismantling of state-owned casinos and more effective anti-money laundering supervision.
Also listed 34 consultation bodies the MoF has referred memorandum to for feedback.
State Casinos
Gambling regulation is based on a licensing system; one of the licenses included in the system, the license for state gaming, covers the form of gambling in casinos.
License can be granted to a directly or indirectly wholly-owned state-owned company that, on the basis of the license, is allowed to conduct gambling operations at casinos.
The proposed amendments eliminate casino gambling from the state gambling license category, meaning operators can no longer offer casino gambling in Sweden.
The casino currently operated by Casino Cosmopol AB will therefore be closed.
Also an operator that has a license for a state lottery should also be able to provide other types of lotteries than scratch lotteries, number games, probability games.
Bingo games continue to be a form of gambling reserved for non-profit organizations.
AML Supervision
Also proposed that the Swedish Gambling Authority, in its capacity as the supervisory authority in the area of money laundering over such operators who conduct gambling activities with a licence or registration, shall be able to issue certain regulations.
These are regulations that require operators to provide info about their operations, customers and other conditions, either periodically or at authority's request.
Effectiveness
Consultation responses must be received by the Ministry of Finance by Aug. 23, 2024.
Amendments re gambling at casinos are proposed to enter into force on Jan. 1, 2026.
Ordinance changes concerning lotteries is proposed to enter into force Sep. 1, 2024.
Reporting obligation amendments are proposed to enter into force on Jul. 1, 2025.
Jun. 28, 2024 SWE FI Response
On Jun. 28, 2024, SWE FI issued response to SWE GVT's memo on AML supervision.
SWE FI supports Ministry of Finance's proposal for increased regulatory powers for the Swedish Gambling Authority, with more opportunities for it to conduct AML supervision.
SWE FI considers that increased capacity at the Authority is positive for society's overall ability to counteract money laundering and terrorist financing in general.
It has no views on the other proposals in the SWE GVT memorandum.
Oct. 2024 Referral
On Oct. 31, 2024, SWE GVT issued legislative referral on decommissioning casinos.
Changes to remove gambling form of gambling at casino from state gambling license.
Since state gaming license is only form of license that covers casino gaming, proposal means that no operator will be able to obtain license to provide casino gaming.
I.e. in special room for casino games; SWE GVT reminds that any provision of games for money without the necessary license is illegal.
Consequence: casino currently run by company Casino Cosmopol AB will be closed.
SWE GVT also proposes Gambling Inspectorate, in capacity of supervisory authority in area of money laundering over operators running gambling activities with license or registration per Gambling Act 2018:1138, should be able to issue certain regulations.
This applies to regulations which mean business operators must provide information re their business, customers and other conditions, either periodically or at request.
Amendments to law re casino gambling proposed to enter into force on Jan. 1, 2026; amendment relating to a new right of prescription set to enter into force Jul. 1, 2025.
