Swedish Media Blasts Restrictive Gaming LawsSweden's Largest Newspaper Calls on EC to Bring Government to Court Over Poker and Sports Betting Laws |
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The former and current editors of Aftonbladet, the largest newspaper in the Nordic countries, have written an open letter to EC Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy slamming the Swedish government’s stance on online gaming and the subsequent restrictions imposed on the media.
Anders Gerdin and Jan Helin are urging the Commission to proceed “as soon as possible” to the European Court of Justice against Sweden’s stance on sports betting and poker, which aims to protect the state monopolies Svenska Spel and ATG.
The complaint centers on the Swedish Gaming Board ban on media accepting advertisements from “foreign gaming operators,” which the newspaper claims will cost it up to €8.5 million per year in lost revenue, as well as the restriction of information the ban will cause its readers.
The letter also states that the Gaming Board is currently trying to fine the paper approximately €16,000 for each foreign gaming advertisement carried — a move which the paper claims could cost it €100 million per year — and stop it from publishing odds in editorial from non-Swedish operators.
Gerdin and Helin also say that other Swedish and Danish newspapers are facing attacks on their freedom and independence and conclude by saying, “it is high time to put an end to the Swedish government's disrespect for the EU Treaty.”
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