UK bookies slam Swedish plans.

UK bookmakers slam Swedish gambling plans


PLANS by the Swedish government to change the country's gambling laws have not gone down well with UK bookmakers hoping for a more open market.

Far from welcoming an official report published last week, Ladbokes e-gaming managing director John Reilly described it as "protectionist and anti-competitive."

The recommendations extend the current Swedish monopoly to poker, bingo and online casino, and protect the position on slots, casinos and lotteries.

The state will continue to be the sole provider of horserace betting, but there will be a competitive market in sports betting.

O'Reilly added: "This is a last-ditch attempt to avoid a referral to the European Court of Justice of Sweden's protectionist and unfair betting and gaming laws.

"And yet even now the report seeks to extend the reach of the monopoly to cover online gaming, including poker and bingo, and further enshrines protection in land-based lotteries, slot machines, casinos and horseracing.

"It is more monopoly, not less."

at least the ECJ is paid to listen and there is a framework for an open market. in SA who would listen?