Tough UK Gambling Rules
Controversy over tougher laws is ever increasing the pressure on the UK gambling industy. Gambling industry officials in the UK have criticised the restrictions being imposed on the sector by many EU governments. According to the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB), countries such as Sweden currently have a very constrained gambling market which is dominated by a state monopoly.
This, it stated, means they are operating in defiance of EU competition laws, which allow free movement of good services.
Andrew Lyman, senior executive of the ABB, added that some European states are also citing social responsibility as a reason for excluding organisations from the private sector.
He commented: “The UK gambling industry has asked the [government] to support its continued campaign to open up legitimate betting markets in Europe.”
Media reports in recent weeks have suggested that the Swedish government could be about to reform its handling of the gambling sector, which could allow foreign online casinos to function in the country. It has become a sticky issue with many weighing in but no one is willing to rock-the-boat at this point.