It has been reported that among the 22 companies applying for Sweden’s new gambling licenses on the first day of submissions were household names such as Svenska Spel as well as applicants based in Sweden or have links in the country, including Cherry, Expekt and Betsson.
Regulator Lotteriinspektionen revealed that more than 1,500 documents were filed on Wednesday, 1st August 2018 by operators who are anxious to be ready for go when the gambling market in Sweden is opened up in January 2019, ending the monopoly held by the state-owned Svenska Spel. The regulator is urging operators to submit their documents as soon as possible so as to ensure that they receive their license by early next year.
It is understood that up to 70 license applications are expected to be made before Sweden’s new gambling market goes live in January of next year.
A number of companies failed to make application on the first day but it is expected that they will do so in the next few months. These companies include Kindred Group and its subsidiary Unibet, Leo Vegas and Mr. Green
Pontus Lindwall, the Chief Executive Officer at Betsson, commented that filing his company’s application fulfilled an ambition held since he began working in the industry in 1992. He added that they are a top Swedish company within the industry and have been in this market for a very long time. He went on to say that he thinks that it is great that it opens up for regulation and for license applications.