The Swedish government is facing mounting pressure by different sectors regarding a commissioned report that recommended that online poker and casino games be left in the hands of the state-run monopoly gambling group, Svenska Spel for an indefinite period.
The report also suggested that certain sectors of Svenska Spel be opened up to non-Swedish companies to generate competition.
One of the most outspoken companies against the National Gambling Consultation report was the UK-based Ladbrokes, which disapproved strongly against the findings. "This is a last ditch attempt to avoid a referral to the European Court of Justice for Sweden's protectionist and unfair betting and gaming laws,” said the MD of Remote Betting and Gaming for Ladbrokes, John O'Reilly, “and yet, even now, the report seeks to extend the reach of the monopoly to cover online gaming including poker and bingo, and further enshrines protection in land based lotteries, slot machines, casinos and horse racing."