Sweden imposes strict gambling limits during COVID-19 lockdown

Sweden has introduced a weekly online betting limit in a bid to combat problem gambling during the coronavirus pandemic.

Under the new measures, gamblers in the Scandinavian nation can deposit no more than 5,000 Swedish krona (US $496) per week at online casinos and bookmakers.

The restrictions also include a weekly loss limit, meaning online sportsbooks and casino sites are obliged to cut off customers once they lose a certain amount.

These strict conditions come in response to a rapid rise in online gambling activity while Sweden deals with the effects of the global COVID-19 crisis.

Although lawmakers in Stockholm have favoured a ‘herd immunity’ approach over a complete nationwide lockdown, a significant portion of the population has been affected by both the coronavirus and the resulting countermeasures.

“What we are seeing at the moment is a dangerous cocktail of different conditions that could increase the risk of problem gambling and gambling addition,” said Sweden’s Social Security minister, Ardalan Shekarabi.

“Isolated individuals, with major worries about their jobs and finances, represent a dangerously fertile nursery for an increase in gambling problems.”

Sweden is not the first European nation to introduce online wagering restrictions in a bid to halt the rise of problem gambling during the coronavirus outbreak.

Belgium and Spain have both brought in betting limits, while Latvian regulators have temporarily suspended all online casino, sports betting and lottery licences.

In the United Kingdom, where a blanket ban on credit card gambling came into effect earlier this month, online bookmakers and casino sites have been urged to institute a £50 daily betting limit.