Nouvelles de l'industrie - Suède

Change In Approach Prompts Further Bloodletting At Svenska Spel

02/05/2008: Following the departure of the company’s CEO just weeks ago, Swedish monopoly gaming operator Svenska Spel has been affected by two more defections in its ranks. Two divisional managers resigned this week, indicating their reluctance to embrace the change in managerial direction away from market competitiveness towards a more restricted offering favoured by the Swedish government and the company’s new chairwoman.

plus .:

CEO’s Resignation Spels New Direction For Svenska

22/04/2008: Svenska Spel’s Jesper Kärrbrink announced yesterday that he is to step down from his role as CEO of the company. The announcement comes less than three weeks after the appointment of a new chair to the Svenska Spel board, and furthers speculation that the state-owned gaming operator is likely to witness a restriction in its room to manoeuvre in the Swedish market over the coming months.

plus .:

Tounge-Tied Swedes Obscure Svenska Spel’s Future

11/04/2008: Ministerial rhetoric on reshaping gambling monopoly Svenska Spel into a more socially responsible operator has evidently not been communicated to Brussels, as time runs out for Sweden to answer EU’s concerns. The appointment of a new chairman for the operator, widely regarded as unsuitable for the role, has also raised questions about government indecision.

plus .:

Private Operators Gather Momentum In Sweden

08/04/2008: Fallout from a recent Supreme Court decision could mean the time is now ripe for private betting operators to strike marketing deals in Sweden and position themselves ahead of a possible liberalization of the market after 2010, predicted a leading Swedish lawyer last week. With all prosecutions of gaming advertising now on hold due to the legal doubts raised by the Court, the question is whether any remote operators will test the authorities’ resolve by introducing terrestrial betting outlets in the country.

plus .:

Sweden To Hold Fire On Betting Ad Prosecutions

13/03/2008: Under fire from the EU over its gaming laws, Sweden’s prosecutors have now been advised to halt their attempts to prosecute media organisations that accept advertising from foreign bookmakers. The delay, ordered until the EU completes its infringement processes, means that many of the ongoing cases will expire before they can be tried.

plus .:

Swedish Tabloid Raises Stakes In Advertising Row

16/01/2008: The former and current editors-in-chief of the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet have written to the European Commission urging it to accelerate its overdue infringement procedures against Sweden over sports betting. While the letter could open an important new front in the battle over private sector betting in the Nordic region, their calls for a new EU infringement process to begin over poker are likely to fall on deaf ears.

plus .:

Government Applies Brakes To Svenska Spel Expansion

09/11/2007: Following news of rising levels of gambling addiction amongst Swedish online poker players, Svenska Spel’s expansion plans for their own internet poker product have been rebuffed by the Swedish government.

plus .:

Swedish Monopolies In Internet Ad Tussle

05/11/2007: Sweden’s state-owned gaming operator Svenska Spel has been censured over a controversial banner advert aimed against indirect competitor ATG, the organisation that controls horseracing in the country.

plus .:

Ruling Party Votes To End Swedish Gambling Monopoly

30/10/2007: Moderate Party members voted at their congress last weekend in favour of a proposal to liberalise the country’s gambling market but the Swedish Government still advocates taking a more cautious approach towards regulation.

plus .:

Swedish Poker Trial Nets More Accused

03/10/2007: Six men have now been formally charged under Swedish gambling laws for their part in organising a 682 player tournament earlier this year. In a new development, the owners of the premises have also been charged.

plus .: