Betsson to Open a Shop in Sweden

27 May 2008

In a bold move, online gambling operator Betsson plans to open the first ever private betting shop in Sweden this week. The shop is scheduled to open in Stockholm on Friday (May 30) and could generate a great deal of controversy.

Only Svenska Spel, a state-owned company, has government authorization to offer sports betting products in Sweden. Betsson says it applied for a license to open a sports betting shop but was refused.

The company has decided to open its shop anyway, arguing that Svenska Spel's monopoly violates EU trade laws.

Tomorrow Betsson will host a seminar in Stockholm to discuss the legal situation governing gambling in Sweden.