Online betting restricted in Sweden during coronavirus pandemic
Plans were announced yesterday in Sweden to place restrictions on how much players can bet at online casinos while the coronavirus outbreak continues. With people isolated, the country is concerned that players will turn to gambling for entertainment and this could lead to gambling problems. According to government officials, due to the lack of sporting activities, citizens are turning to online slots and other casino games.
Setting limits:
The Swedish government has announced that it will limit the amount players can transfer to their online casino gaming accounts. This amount is set at 5000 SEK or $495 per week. A similar amount will be refunded for online slot machine losses.
According to https://casinonutansvensklicens.org/, Social Welfare Minister Ardalan Shekarabi, the country sees "a dangerous cocktail of different conditions that can increase the risk of gambling problems and gambling addiction".
Shekarabi said that as people are isolated and worried about their jobs and finances, this creates fertile ground for gambling problems to grow.
New rules:
Under the new rules, players will have to set a time limit for gambling. Bonuses provided by online casinos will be limited to 100 crowns at a time. The purpose of the bonus limit is to ensure that players cannot switch from site to site to continue playing in large quantities.
The gambling authorities in Sweden have also been given additional tools to block gambling sites that are not licensed to operate in the country. The overall aim is to provide additional protection for players as they remain at home during a period of self-isolation as the virus continues to spread.