Computers 'LAN party tax' hits Swedish gamers

Imon Yourside · 07-01-2013, 10:40 PM

Gamers in Sweden suffer a hard financial blow as authorities decide to tax so-called LAN parties. From now on, organizers of multiplayer get-togethers will be forced to pay a fee of up to $5,000 in order to receive a "permit" to connect PCs and video game consoles for gaming purposes. The ruling was made by the Gambling Board, the supervisory authority for gambling and lottery, in accordance with the liberal government's revised slot machine regulation of last year. The thriving gaming culture in Sweden - which hosts DreamHack, the biggest LAN party in the world - is expected to be struck hard by the decision.

Video games, too, are included under the new authorization.

”In the eyes of the law, these are slot machines. There is no difference,” Johan Röhr, general counsel at the Gambling Board, told the computer magazine M3.

According to Röhr, the new rules do not apply to, for instance, Internet cafes, where computers are mainly connected for purposes other than gaming.

In addition to the new tax, LAN organizers may be forced to pay an extra inspection fee should the Gambling Board decide to supervise the party.

Erik de Basso, Accounting Manager of the LAN party organizer Inferno Online, is highly critical of the new tax, which will cost his company additional thousands of dollars of expenses every year.

”They equate our business with playing slots at the local pub. Of course you get pissed,” he told M3.

The Gambling Board now requests all companies and economic associations which organize games on computers in a LAN environment to apply for a permit. For purely private gaming authorization is, so far, not needed. A permit is valid for two years.

http://www.friatider.se/lan-party-ta...swedish-gamers

Wow, that's crazy.

Psyko Tek · 07-01-2013, 10:44 PM

K just when I think I seen all the stupid I can,I get another

Pants · 07-01-2013, 11:52 PM

Good to see our country isn't the only one run by dumbasses.

Imon Yourside · 07-01-2013, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pants

Good to see our country isn't the only one run by dumbasses.

I know...it's a ****ing LAN party...LAN....

Mr. Laz · 07-02-2013, 10:23 AM

Are they talking about the lan parties that have hundreds of people and charge people to get in and give out door prizes etc?

I would think it would be better to make them have to get a business permit etc than put it under a 'lan charge'

DaveNull · 07-02-2013, 10:42 AM

They must be...I don't see ten nerds in a room playing TF2 and getting all fired up on Red Bull being anything like a slot machine.

**morphius** · 07-02-2013, 10:49 AM

Sure, someone figures out a way to get geeks out of the house, and their gov't find a way to drive them back.

patteeu · 07-02-2013, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morphius

Sure, someone figures out a way to get geeks out of the house, and their gov't find a way to drive them back.

whoman69 · 07-03-2013, 09:11 AM

I was confused and I think from the comments too, that many thought from the title Sweden was taxing games. They are actually taxing gambling online.

patteeu · 07-03-2013, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoman69

I was confused and I think from the comments too, that many thought from the title Sweden was taxing games. They are actually taxing gambling online.

You're still partly confused. They're also taxing video gaming tournaments for prize money.

whoman69 · 07-04-2013, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patteeu

You're still partly confused. They're also taxing video gaming tournaments for prize money.

Sweden wouldn't be the only country to tax prize money by any means.

**Rausch** · 07-04-2013, 12:20 PM

THose repressive ****s...

patteeu · 07-05-2013, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoman69

Sweden wouldn't be the only country to tax prize money by any means.

Still confused. This isn't about taxing prize money. You should read the article maybe.

**RealSNR** · 07-05-2013, 08:32 AM

Sweden's such a great place to live, guys! There's no cancer and everything smells like cinnamon buns!

07-01-2013, 10:40 PM
Imon Yourside WhatUneed2Hear Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: AllSoulsMatter Casino cash: $2673181	'LAN party tax' hits Swedish gamers Gamers in Sweden suffer a hard financial blow as authorities decide to tax so-called LAN parties. From now on, organizers of multiplayer get-togethers will be forced to pay a fee of up to $5,000 in order to receive a "permit" to connect PCs and video game consoles for gaming purposes. The ruling was made by the Gambling Board, the supervisory authority for gambling and lottery, in accordance with the liberal government's revised slot machine regulation of last year. The thriving gaming culture in Sweden - which hosts DreamHack, the biggest LAN party in the world - is expected to be struck hard by the decision. Video games, too, are included under the new authorization. ”In the eyes of the law, these are slot machines. There is no difference,” Johan Röhr, general counsel at the Gambling Board, told the computer magazine M3. According to Röhr, the new rules do not apply to, for instance, Internet cafes, where computers are mainly connected for purposes other than gaming. In addition to the new tax, LAN organizers may be forced to pay an extra inspection fee should the Gambling Board decide to supervise the party. Erik de Basso, Accounting Manager of the LAN party organizer Inferno Online, is highly critical of the new tax, which will cost his company additional thousands of dollars of expenses every year. ”They equate our business with playing slots at the local pub. Of course you get pissed,” he told M3. The Gambling Board now requests all companies and economic associations which organize games on computers in a LAN environment to apply for a permit. For purely private gaming authorization is, so far, not needed. A permit is valid for two years. http://www.friatider.se/lan-party-ta...swedish-gamers Wow, that's crazy.
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07-01-2013, 10:44 PM	#2
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07-01-2013, 11:52 PM	#3
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07-02-2013, 10:23 AM	#5
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	Are they talking about the lan parties that have hundreds of people and charge people to get in and give out door prizes etc? I would think it would be better to make them have to get a business permit etc than put it under a 'lan charge' __________________
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07-02-2013, 10:42 AM	#6
DaveNull Veteran Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Villa Straylight Casino cash: $10005610	They must be...I don't see ten nerds in a room playing TF2 and getting all fired up on Red Bull being anything like a slot machine.
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07-02-2013, 10:49 AM	#7
morphius World's finest morphius Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $6965027	Sure, someone figures out a way to get geeks out of the house, and their gov't find a way to drive them back.
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07-05-2013, 08:32 AM	#14
RealSNR Special Teams ACE!!! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Where the hell is SNR Casino cash: $2410208	Sweden's such a great place to live, guys! There's no cancer and everything smells like cinnamon buns!
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