Swedish Survey Suggests Bonus offers Biggest Attraction of Unlicensed Websites

[Hannman]

Nearly a third of Swedes gamble online at least once per quarter, according to a survey commissioned by the country’s regulator.

Most Swedes would seem to prefer licensed sites. Only 8% said they had played on an unlicensed website; 6% did so intentionally while 2% did so unintentionally.

But whether these respondents were all truly playing on non-regulated sites is questionable. They were asked to name which unlicensed websites they had visited, and several people named licensed platforms.
“Several of these, however, state gaming sites with a Swedish licence as they had to answer which sites without a Swedish gaming licence they played on,” said Spelinspektionen.

When asked how they had discovered these sites, meanwhile, most respondents (36%) claimed to have received a tip from another player, though 27% did suggest that advertising was responsible.

As to why some people choose to play on unlicensed platforms, the most common response was bonus offers. Others said they did so because they were blocked on Spelpaus.
Most respondents (85%) were also aware of Sweden’s self-exclusion service Spelpaus, and 9% had made use of it.
But Sweden Government believe unlicensed gambling websites constitute more to unregulated gambling and irresponsible gambling.

 

[CR7]

The findings of the survey commissioned by the Swedish regulator shed light on the online gambling habits of Swedish residents. It is interesting to note that although the majority of Swedes prefer playing on licensed websites, there is still a small portion who choose to gamble on unlicensed platforms.

One notable aspect of the survey is the confusion among respondents about distinguishing between licensed and unlicensed websites. Some individuals mistakenly mentioned licensed platforms when asked about unlicensed ones. This highlights the need for clearer communication and education regarding the licensing status of online gambling sites.

Regarding the discovery of unlicensed sites, the survey suggests that players often receive tips from other players. This informal recommendation system seems to play a significant role in leading people to unlicensed platforms. Additionally, a considerable percentage of respondents mentioned advertising as a means of discovering these sites. This highlights the influence that marketing efforts can have in attracting players to unregulated websites.

The survey also highlights the reasons why some individuals choose to play on unlicensed platforms. The most commonly cited reason is the allure of bonus offers. It is worth noting that attractive bonuses can be a strong incentive for players, even if it means forfeiting the safety and protection offered by licensed operators. Another reason mentioned by some respondents is being blocked on Spelpaus, indicating that certain individuals may turn to unlicensed platforms as a result of being unable to access licensed sites.

It is noteworthy that a significant percentage of respondents (85%) are aware of Sweden's self-exclusion service, Spelpaus, which is a positive indication of responsible gambling initiatives. However, the survey reveals that only 9% of participants had made use of this service, suggesting that there is still room for improvement in encouraging more individuals to utilize self-exclusion tools.

The Swedish government's concern about unlicensed gambling websites contributing to unregulated and irresponsible gambling is valid. It is crucial for regulators and authorities to address the issues raised in this survey, such as improving awareness and understanding of licensed platforms, enhancing responsible gambling measures, and cracking down on unlicensed operators to ensure the highest level of consumer protection.