The Swedish government proposes measures aimed at strengthening consumer protection and combating criminal activity in connection with gambling

Sweden

On 14 December 2023, the Swedish government submitted the government bill prop. 2023/24:53, proposing measures aimed at strengthening consumer protection and combating criminal activity in connection with gambling.

The government bill contains a proposal that the Gambling Act’s (2018:1138) provisions on permitted processing of personal data shall be supplemented with a provision that allows processing of personal data for a license holder’s work with the duty of care, which aims to protect players against excessive gambling. It is also proposed that a license holder should be given the opportunity to review and analyse information about a player’s health and finances, in order to take responsible gambling measures and discourage excessive gambling. It is further proposed that a written requirement shall be introduced for telephone sales of gambling. An agreement that has not been entered into in accordance with this requirement will be invalid.

In the bill, it is also proposed that the penalty fee for violations of the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Prevention) Act (SFS 2017:630) committed by a gambling provider should be adjusted. Through the adjustment, it shall be possible for the penalty fee for violations of the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Prevention) Act to amount to the same maximum amount as for violations of the Gambling Act. The proposal aims to combat criminal activity in connection with gambling.

The changes are proposed to enter into force on 1 April 2024.