Swedish state-run gambling operator Svenska Spel has opted to remove all bonus offers and discount deals from its website.
According to the Pokerupdate.com website, the move is part of a plan in Sweden to create a more “socially responsible” national online gaming market.
Lennart Käll, Svenska Spel’s chief executive officer, said that the decision to remove the offers was a necessary move to distance the operator from potential cases of problem gambling.
“We see a clear trend in the gaming market where bonuses and discounts are becoming more common and where game companies are fighting to have the most attractive deals,” Käll said.
“The risk is that it is driving increased gambling, which ultimately may include an increase in problem gambling.”
Despite the removal of the offers, the operator is confident the move will not affect its overall performance, having recently posted a 4.2% increase in profits to $388.9 million (€252.9 million) for the first half of the year.
Lotteries and sport form a major part of Svenska Spel’s services, while poker is also popular with players.
However, the firm has recorded stable traffic to its poker operations during most of the year so far. It also said bonus offers and deals have not led to higher numbers on the service and therefore does not expect any major problems as a result of the move.
