21-06-2005 Swedish setback for Ladbrokes

The British bookmaker challenged the Swedish gaming monopoly, while the government argued that the monopoly was legal because the profits were used for the common good.

The court ruled that EU law allowed countries to regulate the gaming industry for the purpose of protecting players and maintaining social order.

Ladbrokes now plans to complain to the European Commission.

"A ruling made to order for the government," said Douglas Roos, Ladbrokes' Nordic CEO.