## Swedish Consumer Protection Law Set to Launch in Spring – Legal & Regulatory – iGB
A new regulation designed to boost gambling consumer protection will become effective in Sweden this coming April.
**Homepage > Legal & Regulatory > Swedish Consumer Protection Law Set to Launch in Spring**
The Swedish government recently presented a suggested gambling law to the country’s legislative body.
According to Sweden’s gambling oversight agency, Spelinspektionen, the bill seeks to combat gambling-related criminal activity and safeguard consumers from the negative impacts of gambling.
**Penalties Under the New Swedish Gambling Regulation**
Under the proposed legislation, gambling firms that break anti-money laundering rules will face more severe punishments. At present, penalties for operators who violate anti-money laundering laws are less severe than those for breaking gambling laws.
Furthermore, authorized operators will have access to personal financial and health data provided by prospective customers. This measure aims to combat problematic gambling.
Consumers will also be required to provide written confirmation before participating in phone-based gambling.
Last month, Spelinspektionen Director Camilla Rosenberg expressed support for the proposal, which is scheduled to take effect on the first of April.
**Changes in Legislation**
The gambling legal landscape in Sweden is undergoing rapid transformation.
On the first of July, vendor permits became operative, and the Swedish Gaming Authority gained fresh enforcement capabilities.
Additionally, in September, the government proposed raising the gambling tax from eighteen percent to twenty-two percent of all wagered funds. However, this alteration won’t take effect until next July.
Expansion Stalls Under the Swedish Gaming Authority
These modifications come as the expansion of Sweden’s regulated gambling market appears to have halted.
In the third quarter, the total amount of gambling money decreased by 0.6 percent compared to the same period last year. This mirrors the trend observed in the second quarter of this year.
Furthermore, a report released last month indicated that illicit gambling in Sweden has increased tenfold since 2019.
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