Betsson will not be threatened by Swedish Authorities
5th June, 2008
Despite having a police report filed against them for violating the Swedish lottery act by opening a high street betting shop, Betsson has confirmed in an act of defiance that it will not be closing the outlet, based in Stockholm.
The report was filed by Sweden’s Lottery Inspection government body, which Betsson is confident is illegal due to its monopoly of the Swedish market. A statement from Betsson said that the shop was compliant with all the necessary European Community laws in place, and that the company would seek compensation from the state should they damage the organisation in any form. Betsson went on to add that is has the right to serve European countries as stated in the EC Treaty, which it has been totally compliant with.
The statement from Betsson said: “The EC treaty is superior to the (Swedish) Lottery Act. Therefore, Betsson does not break Swedish law.” Confident that the high street outlet also was well within the law, the statement continued: “The shop has been positively received by the market and Betsson's ambition is to continue to operate the shop, and offer better odds and a relaxing environment to our customers.”
Chief executive of Betsson, Pontus Lidwall commented: ”Given the current legal position, the Lottery Inspection's actions are perilous. If these actions harm Betsson in any way, we will demand damages. We are convinced that the gaming monopoly will be declared illegal by EC court.”
He also told how a meeting with the Lottery Inspection had also given confirmed his view that his company’s movements were perfectly legal: “At the meeting the Lottery Inspection agreed with us that some parts of the Lottery Act are dubious and may not comply with EC law. I am therefore very surprised of the actions taken by the Inspection the last couple of days. An authority should not take actions on a weak basis, which can hurt a particular company.”
By Chris M
