Play’n GO has unveiled exclusive polling results from Sweden, indicating widespread support for prohibiting the controversial “Bonus Buy” slot mechanic.
The findings from a nationally representative survey are striking:
- 69% of the general Swedish public favour changing regulations to ban ‘Bonus Buy’ games.
- Surprisingly, 55% of Swedish slot players also support prohibiting this game type.
Among those advocating for the ban, 66% of the general public and 52% of slot players think that “Bonus Buy” games pose risk to vulnerable gamblers. Additionally, 63% of slot players think these games lead to increased losses.
“Bonus Buy” games enable players to purchase access to bonus or free spins rounds, often for significantly higher amounts than an initial stake for a single spin.
This game type is already prohibited by leading regulators such as the UK Gambling Commission and the KSA in the Netherlands. In a reminder to online casino operators in January 2020, the UK Gambling Commission emphasised that gambling products should not encourage clients to increase their stakes.
Play’n GO’s findings also indicate that Swedish slot players believe:
- Aligning regulations with those of the Netherlands and the UK on the issue of “Bonus Buy” slots is the “responsible thing to do” (61%).
- A regulatory change demonstrates that the Swedish government is taking gambling problems seriously (63%).
- They would be proud if the regulator forbade “Bonus Buy” slots (53%).
The research targeted individuals in Sweden who indicated that they played slots at least once a month.
Meanwhile, the UK’s Department for Culture, Media & Sport has said that stake limits for online slots are expected to decrease the gross gambling revenue by £166.2 million, constituting a 5.2% reduction in online slots yield and a 2.6% decrease in total online gambling revenue.
The government’s decision implements a general limit of £5 per spin, with a lower threshold of £2 specifically aimed at customers under the age of 25. This lower limit mirrors the restriction imposed on brick-and-mortar fixed-odds betting machines back in 2019.
This move marks the first time that such limits have been placed on online slot spins in the UK. The regulation will be enacted through secondary legislation, facilitating a relatively swift implementation process. The rules are set to take effect in September, with two transition periods granted to operators for system adjustments.
Initially, there will be a six-week transition window during which operators must conform to the £5 limit. Subsequently, a second period will provide more time for the adaptation of systems to comply with the lower limit for individuals under 24 years old.
