Betsson Loses Court Case on Swedish Gambling Law

Posted: September 8, 2010

Updated: October 4, 2017

Despite a judge’s basic agreement on its interpretation of Swedish gambling laws, Betsson online sportsbook and casino has nevertheless lost a case

Despite a judge’s basic agreement on its interpretation of Swedish gambling laws, Betsson online sportsbook and casino has nevertheless lost a case against the government dating back to 1997.

In that year, the Swedish government imposed a ban on nearly all land-based slot machines – except for those of monopoly company Svenska Spel. Betsson had charged that the government was in violation of European Union law in imposing the ban and forcing Betsson to close down operation of its 200-plus slot machines; attorneys were seeking damages of SEK 102 million (about $14 million).

In its decision, The Stockholm District Court found the Swedish government guilty of violating EU law when it implemented the ban without notifying European Commission authorities. The court went on to state that Betsson could not receive damages because the ban was a result of procedural legal changes.

While Betsson happily serves customers in many regulated and unregulated markets in Sweden, they are disallowed from providing its online sportsbook in Sweden due to the allowed monopoly of Svenska Spel.

As for public comment, Betsson CEO Pontus Lindwall stated that the ruling was “A clear case of court decay. Apparently the state can act outside the law while the law applies for everyone else.