Sweden: Only one in twenty players can identify a licensed online casino

The Swedish gambling regulator Spelinspektionen recently published the results of an interesting survey. Among other things, the survey questioned whether the Swedish gamblers know, if the casino they are gambling in, is licensed. A total of 1,700 people took the survey.

The result is shocking: only around 5 % of the participants admitted to knowing how to identify a serious online casino with a valid licence. In turn, this means that the large majority of internet users in Sweden who are interested in gambling do not know how to identify licensed online casinos. In the following article, we want to show you what other interesting results came out from the survey of the Swedish administrative authorities and how super easy it is for users to identify a licensed casino.

Only one in twenty gamblers in Sweden can identify licensed Online Casino

The Spelinspektionen is the official gambling regulator in Sweden. Lately the authority published the results of a nationwide survey. 1,737 Gamblers were interviewed for the survey. The majority (1,139) replied to being regular gamblers.

The result of the survey is sobering, at least for the gaming authority. Only 2 % of the respondents stated, for example, that they check beforehand on the platform of the online casino to verify whether the operator is licensed in Sweden. Besides this, only one in every 100 respondents took the opportunity to inform themselves by referring to the website of the Swedish gambling regulator.

Most do not appreciate the advantages of a licensed casino

Especially surprising is the fact that 67 % of the respondents stated that they are not aware of the advantages of gambling in an online casino which is licensed. From this, in turn, one can conclude that it does not make a difference to them whether they gamble in a licensed casino or not. Only 15 % of the participants stated that they are informed about the advantages of a valid licence and can appreciate it. For these respondents it was significant that they are gambling in a safe environment as that which can be provided from a licenced casino.

Further to this, the results of the survey show, that at least 4 % of the respondents stated that they find it important, that those responsible for online casinos in Sweden pay taxes. Only 1 % of the respondents are of the opinion that Swedish law should apply for online casino operators.

Why do Swedish players not pay attention to a valid licence? 

The actual survey showed, that only 5 % of the respondents know how to identify a serious online gambling operator. Around 70 % of the participants also could not identify the advantages of licensed casinos when compared to competing unlicensed ones. For the majority of the Swedish gamblers it seems not to be important where they gamble on the internet. However the advantages of licensed online casinos are quite clear.

Advantages of licensed online casinos:

• Constant monitoring from the relevant authorities
• Monitored Random Generatot (RNG)
• Secure data transmission / encryption of personal data
• Licence Authority as a contact person and mediator in case of problems

Stricter regulations: Many gamblers turn their back on licensed providers

It is not only in Germany that recently several new measures were introduced to increase the protection of gamblers. A short while ago even Sweden introduced new restrictions. Since then even here there are strict deposit limits and other limitations e.g. for bonus offers. The consequences: a number of officially licensed operators in Sweden have been complaining that since these strict regulations were introduced, their sales dropped by up to 30 %.

This could mean that players are purposely turning their back on regulated online gambling casinos so that they can gamble at unlicensed providers without any restrictions. Not only the Swedish gambling regulator Spelinspektionen is warning against this, but also a number of other experts, because gambling on unregulated markets involves several dangers and risks which the gamblers are not even aware of. Among these one can mention criminal prosecution for gambling in an illegal casino.

Gambling addiction prevention is becoming even more important

The survey of the Spelinspektionen concluded that 43 % of the questioned gamblers are not aware of the so called Self-Exclusion-Function “Spelpaus”. With the help of these tools, gamblers who are at risk can protect themselves from playing too much and ask to be temporarily or permanently blocked. The communications manager of Spelinspektionen, Anders Sims, emphasised the importance of such a function in his statement, especially within the context of the persisting pandemic situation.