Svenska Spel AB, a Swedish government-owned and -licensed online gaming company, has posted record profits of $685 million for 2006, thanks to its online poker division.
It has been over one year since the Swedish government's decision to enter the online poker market. The decision has proven to be a great call for all involved.
"It has really fulfilled its purpose of bringing home a big part of Sweden's unregulated poker playing to a responsible environment within the country's borders," stated Jesper Karrbrink, the CEO of Svenska Spel AB.
In November of 2005, Svenska Spel received permission from the Swedish Government to launch Internet Poker. The goal was to transfer existing Internet poker players from an unregulated market to a regulated one.
Svenska Spel's launch of Internet poker has exceeded all expectations. The company has managed to attract a significant number of players from Sweden's large poker community. The software, provided by
Boss Media, is stable and the players feel secure in that their government (not an offshore corporation) backs the product.
To minimize the risks of gaming addiction, each poker player at
svenskaspel.se sets individual limits per session, per day, per week, per month as well as maximum duration of the day, week, or month. Furthermore, players can totally exclude themselves from the gaming portal.
Perhaps Sweden's success will provide an example for governments (USA, France) that are heading in the exact opposite direction with their recent legislation.
For more Happenings in Europe, visit
CardPlayerEurope.com.
