In a classic example of changing a law by not enforcing the law, the government of Sweden has ended it monopoly on online gaming by advising all state prosecutors to halt cases against media organizations accepting ads from foreign online gambling companies, which means that many online poker operators may now decide to begin advertising in Sweden, competing openly with state-supoprted Svenska Spel. And if you can advertise, then apparently you may also operate and accept customers.
The case under consideration had to do with advertising but the ruling signals the government's decision to halt its previous position to allow gaming only with the state sponsored site. The continuing pressure of the European Union was, of course, a strong influence on the decision.
The ruling to open Swedish media to foreign gambling operators acknowledges the European Commission action against Sweden challenging their protectionist practices against foreign gambling operators. But whether my law, or enforcement or wax-sealed letter ruling, it appears one of the major nations in defiance of the EU gaming policy has capitulated.
"It seems that the courts in Sweden are finally starting to accept the changes taking place in Europe and in EC Law,"
one legal counsel said.
