The moment of truce

Positive responses were also issued by trade associations BOS and Sper, despite previous wide-ranging criticism of the Swedish government and Shekarabi. Even Kindred Group, which last month described the extension of the restrictions as a step in the wrong direction, welcomed the appointment of Larsson. “We can see that it covers most of the topics that we have expressed and asked about for a long time,” said Kindred Group head of public affairs Peter Alling. “For example, today there is no co-ordination and information sharing when it comes to battling match-fixing which is without a doubt necessary.” He added: “We are also pleased that the inquiry will investigate unlicensed operators, which is where the focus should be. But with the low channelisation that we experience today, this inquiry is something that should have been initiated yesterday.” Despite the hopeful reaction, particulars of the so-called “Larsson inquiry” remain sparse, and as the adage goes, the devil is in the detail, as Wiklund law partner and practice principal Ola Wiklund knows only too well. He said: “Minister Shekarabi suggests that a well-functioning gaming market presupposes that unlicensed gaming companies are excluded from the Swedish gaming market and wants to identify obstacles and propose solutions to enable more effective supervision of illegal gambling. “His statement is indeed confusing. Unlicensed gambling is not illegal in Sweden, as long as the services aren’t directed to the Swedish market. The SGA has made this clear. It’s also important to point out that legal principles on jurisdiction and sovereignty create unsurmountable obstacles for Sweden to enforce sanctions against companies established in other EU states. “The Swedish government is practically blocked from interfering in the marketplace of another sovereign state. This is the reality Mr Shekarabi has to live with,” Wiklund concluded. The initial optimism of trade body BOS was tempered with a warning from CEO Gustaf Hoffstedt, who reiterated the “highlighted flaws” in Swedish gambling law as referenced by Wiklund. He said: “One of the severe problems with the current legislation is that, despite the government’s rhetoric, most of the unlicensed gambling that Swedish punters are offered is in fact legal. I believe the new inquiry should start and solve that issue to begin with.” Larsson’s task is an uphill one, but will he reach a New Year’s resolution?