Those looking to advertise their online casinos in Sweden are going to have a fight on their hands. Online casino advertising in Sweden has been prohibited and gambling enthusiasts are outraged about the development.
Online Gambling is Legal
In Sweden, online gambling is legal, and winnings from sites within the European Union are tax free. There are only a couple brick-and-mortar casinos open, all operated by the state. In Sweden the laws are more aimed at people advertising for casino games rather than the players themselves.
The Swedish Online Gaming Ad Ban
The Swedish Gaming Board has enacted a ban prohibiting any Swedish media outlet from showing advertising for foreign online casinos or other gaming operations. Just as with Germany's ban on all non-state sponsored Internet gambling, the move is designed to protect the state's gambling interests.
Opposition to the Swedish Online Gaming Ad Ban
The main opposition to the ban has come from Aftonbladet, the premier newspaper of the Nordic countries. The paper has printed that the ban will result in the loss of 8.5 million Euros worth of revenue and finds the restriction unreasonable on principle as well. As a result, the editors have petitioned the European Council's Internal Market Commissioner to take action against the Swedish ban.
Developments in the Swedish Online Gaming Ad Ban
The Swedish Court of Appeal, on orders from the Supreme Court, are testing whether the Swedish ban is compatible with current European Laws regarding gambling. Aftonbladet contends that Articles 12, 43 and 49 of the European Council treaty are violated by the Swedish ban. Whether or not the Swedish Court of Appeal will find this to be the case remains to be seen, but if they do, it could be a huge victory for the proliferation of online gaming in Sweden.
More info on gambling laws:
U.S.gambling laws
European gambling laws
German gambling laws
Finnish gambling laws
