ATG has disclosed that the channelisation rate in Sweden for the third quarter of 2024 is estimated to be between 70% and 82%, highlighting concerns about this trend. This figure shows a slight improvement from the third quarter of 2023, where the channelisation rate ranged from 68% to 81%. Yet, it remains lower than the Swedish government’s objective of reaching a 90% rate. This target was set when Sweden restructured its gambling industry in 2019.
ATG’s estimate of a 70% channelisation rate is based on the observation that average revenue per visit on unauthorized gambling sites is twenty times greater than that on licensed platforms. This assumption suggests sports betting has a channelisation rate of 77%, while online casinos lag at 60%.
At the higher percentage range of 82%, the average revenue from unlicensed sites is noted to be ten times higher, with sports betting reaching 87% and online casinos at 75%.
Furthermore, ATG estimates that the turnover in Sweden’s black-market gambling sector could reach as high as SEK 150 billion (approximately £10.8 billion), with a more optimistic estimate set at SEK 70 billion.
In its research, ATG identified the top five unlicensed sites most frequented by users in Sweden, with Unlimit Casino leading. The other sites include Refuel Casino, GG.BET, iBet, and LuckyJungle. Notably, Unlimit, Refuel, and LuckyJungle operate under Infiniza Limited, a company licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority.
ATG also pointed out that eight of the top 20 unlicensed operators in Sweden are offering BankID payment services.
ATG’s CEO, Hasse Lord Skarplöth, expressed concern over the findings from ongoing surveys, stating that a significant number of problem gamblers in Sweden are associated with unlicensed sites. He stressed the importance of responsible gaming and emphasized ATG’s commitment to contributing to efforts aimed at curbing unlicensed gambling, striving for an industry where licensed operators hold a monopoly in Sweden.
This summary is based on the initial report published on EGR Intel.