NCJ Number
63515
Date Published
1979
Length
154 pages
Annotation
THE CURRENT LAWS ON ILLEGAL GAMBLING IN SWEDEN ARE EXAMINED, AND REVISIONS ARE SUGGESTED WHICH WOULD, AMONG OTHER THINGS, EXTEND THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE FOR THE CRIME AND MAKE ASSISTING IN OR PROFITING FROM GAMBLING A FELONY. GAMBLING LAWS IN FINLAND, NORWAY, DENMARK, AND WEST GERMANY ARE ALSO INVESTIGATED.
Abstract
THE LAW ON ILLEGAL GAMBLING WAS LAST REVISED IN 1972, AT WHICH TIME THE MAXIMUM PRISON SENTENCE WAS SET AT 2 YEARS AND THE ATTEMPT OR PREPARATION TO COMMIT THE CRIME WAS MADE ILLEGAL. GAMBLING IS INTRICATELY WOVEN INTO THE ORGANIZED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY CARRIED OUT IN ILLEGAL HOUSES OF PROSTITUTION, GAMING HOUSES, AND LIQUOR ESTABLISHMENTS. THE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT POLICE HAVE DIFFICULTY IN EFFECTIVELY ENFORCING GAMBLING LAWS SINCE MANY OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS ARE PROTECTED BY WARNING SYSTEMS, IRON GATES, AND OTHER DEVICES AND BECAUSE TO CONDUCT GAMBLING, THE CASE OF PREPARATION IS TOO DIFFICULT TO PROVE. IN ADDITION, THE DIFFICULTY IN DISTINGUISHING WHICH GAMBLING ACTIVITIES ARE LOTTERIES (PUNISHABLE BY UP TO 1 YEAR IN PRISON) AS OPPOSED TO GAMBLING (2 YEARS) HAS STUNTED POLICE EFFECTIVENESS. THE REPORT RECOMMENDS THAT GAMBLING AND LOTTERY BE TREATED AS EQUAL CRIMES UNDER THE LAW, THAT THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE FOR CONVICTION BE EXTENDED TO 2 YEARS, AND THAT PERSONS WHO ASSIST IN GAMBLING OR SHARE IN THE PROFITS WITHOUT DIRECTLY TAKING PART IN THE CRIME (LANDLORDS WHO ALLOW THE ACTIVITY ON THEIR PREMISES, FINANCIERS, AND OTHER BACKERS) BE PUNISHABLE UNDER THE LAW. CHANGES IN RELATED LAWS THAT AFFECT GAMBLING ARE ALSO RECOMMENDED, SUCH AS ONE TO LAWS ON RENTAL PROPERTY. THE LAWS IN FINLAND, NORWAY, AND DENMARK ADDRESS THE CRIMINAL LIABILITY OF PERSONS PARTAKING IN THE PROFITS OR IN SOME WAY SUPPORTING ILLEGAL GAMBLING, PARTICULARLY LANDLORDS. WEST GERMANY'S LAW DOES NOT COVER ASSISTANCE TO OR PROFITING FROM GAMBLING, AND ITS HIGHEST SENTENCE IS 2 YEARS OR A FINE. THE REPORT ALSO DISCUSSES THE INCIDENCE OF GAMBLING IN SWEDEN AND THE ANNUAL PROFITS MADE FROM GAMBLING. THE TEXT OF THE SWEDISH LAW ON GAMBLING IS PRESENTED, ALONG WITH THE TEXT OF THE SUGGESTED REVISED LAW. A 1979 STUDY OF ILLEGAL GAMBLING AND LIQUOR CLUBS IN STOCKHOLM IS APPENDED.