Licensed Swedish online casinos have seen turnover plummet since the government imposed controversial restrictions in July. 

Since deposit and bonus limits came into effect at the start of July, online operators have seen monthly turnover fall by around 30%. 

Illustrating the impact of the new restrictions, ComeOn Group has reported sales tumbling from SEK118 million to SEK83 million between June and August. According to local media outlet News 55, Spooniker also saw a similar effect, with turnover dropping from SEK101 million to SEK72 million.

As previously reported, supporters of the new measures, particularly Minister for Public Administration Ardalan Shekarabi, have justified them in the name of protecting the public during the COVID-19 crisis. However, trade association BOS has slammed them, claiming they are causing “chaos” and are politically motivated. 

Despite the pain for online casino operators, there was some good news on the sports betting front, as the gradual resumption of global sports revived business. 

AYO.NEWS says:

The restrictions placed on Swedish operators still seem as absurd and indefensible as ever – putting legitimate, regulated operators at a massive disadvantage compared to illegal offshore operators, and so pushing Swedish gamblers to engage in much riskier activity. 

With the COVID-19 crisis looking set to drag on for many more months, if not several years, it’s about time the politicians admitted they overreacted and allowed regulated operators to offer a competitive product again. 

But hey, it’s about time a lot of politicians, in a lot of countries, admitted they overreacted to the COVID-19 crisis in a myriad of ways. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

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