Svenska Spel's CEO, Patrik Hofbauer, has voiced his concerns regarding the distinct regulations governing restaurant casinos in Sweden. In a post on the company's corporate blog, he highlighted the challenges posed by the absence of official data related to these venues, which he argues can have serious implications for both gambling addicts and money launderers. Restaurant casinos, which operate at locations with liquor licenses, are permitted to offer table games even though Svenska Spel holds a monopoly on traditional casino operations via Casino Cosmopol.
Hofbauer noted that there are roughly 375 permits for restaurant casinos in Sweden. He pointed out that there is a lack of statistics on individuals seeking help for gambling issues at these establishments, as these figures are not included in official data from authorities. "Those who develop a gambling problem often become ‘mixed addicts’ and gamble on several forms of gambling and with several gambling companies. It is not unlikely that the same pattern is found in the guests of restaurant casinos. And without control – no control," he stated.
He further criticized the wagering limits and the rapid rate at which patrons can spend money. Under new gaming legislation, the maximum bet on blackjack has increased from SEK 75 ($7.44/€7.05/£6.06) to SEK 236 per hand. Hofbauer remarked, "That may sound like a little, but you can easily get rid of a thousand a minute with those conditions. A high roller is not content to play just one hand or one chip."
Referencing feedback from Spelfriheten, an organization that offers support for gambling addictions, Hofbauer mentioned that individuals have reported feeling more tempted by the blackjack tables at nightclubs after consuming alcohol than by the dance floor. He concluded his remarks by calling for regulatory changes for restaurant casinos, particularly regarding safer gambling measures such as self-exclusion policies, which he feels are less stringent for these venues.
"We have a requirement and wish – away with the exception. Honest business can withstand scrutiny and equal rules of the game. Remove the exemptions from complying with the law on duty of care and money laundering," Hofbauer insisted. This isn’t the first time Hofbauer has addressed the regulatory challenges facing operators in Sweden; earlier in May, he urged for increased stability in regulations following reforms in the gambling sector.
