iGaming Business – European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) secretary general Maarten Haijer has warned Sweden that it will be referred to the European Court of Justice by the European Commission unless it changes its current gambling legislation.
In November, the commission told Sweden to comply with EU rules on the free movement of services with regard to the regulation and supervision of its gambling monopoly after having already issued a “reasoned opinion” in 2007.
“Evidently the best option for all concerned, and especially for Swedish consumers, is that Sweden will commit to re-regulate its market and allow online operators to apply for online licenses,” Haijer told the PokerNews.com website.
“Sweden is one of the few member states that is not yet introducing such legislation, but with consumer demand steadily increasing this is inevitably the future.
“If the status quo remains, it is clear that the European Commission will have no other option than to refer Sweden to the European Court… The commission is clearly convinced that Sweden’s gambling monopoly is not in conformity with EU law.”
