It seems that Apple has commenced reinstallation of the previously removed gambling apps from its Swedish App Store. The US-based technology giant was authorized to do this after back in April, Lotteriinspektionen, also referred to as the Swedish Gambling Authority, withdrew its legal complaint regarding the legality of those apps and their distribution to Sweden-based players.
Towards the end of February 2015, about 40 apps offered by a number of popular gambling operators such as William Hill, Unibet, Betsson, Betfair, etc. were pulled out of the Swedish App Store. The move was taken after the country’s gambling regulator received a letter which suggested that the operators had failed to comply with certain terms and conditions and that their operations on the territory of Sweden could be considered illegal.
According to the latest information, Unibet and PokerStars apps have already been reinstalled. Others are expected to be relaunched on the Swedish App Store in the days to come.
Gustaf Hoffstedt, the current General Secretary of the Association of Online Gambling Operators that provide their services in Sweden, commented that he was content with this turn of events. Mr. Hoffstedt was among the critics of the Swedish Gambling Authority and its role in the removal of the gambling apps from the country’s App Store.
According to him, the Swedish law by no means prohibits various foreign gaming companies which have been granted EU licenses to make their apps available on the Internet. Furthermore, under the EU Law, Sweden is forbidden from discriminating gambling operators that are based in other member states.
Mr. Hoffstedt commented that the Swedish Gambling Authority should leave behind such “tricks” and to focus its attention on creating a functional and up-to-date licensing system that would meet the government’s expectations instead. He also stated that in order for this to be achieved, all interested parties should work closely together. Mr. Hoffstedt said that the Association is looking forward to working together with the regulator.
Formerly, the Swedish Gambling Authority commented that it had not complained formally against Apple and what it offers in its Swedish App Store. In addition, according to the regulator, the US technology company had decided to remove the gambling apps without being requested to do so.
