Boss Media has been given the go-ahead to begin developing the site and has promised a “full scale poker system.” For the time being, online poker will the only casino activity allowed on the site as the country only slowly loosens its grip on the restrictions placed on its gaming industry.

Svenska Spel, the Swedish state-owned gambling monopoly, will build the new online site which according to Deputy Prime Minister Bosse Ringholm, will allow the state to channel internet gaming into a state-influenced industry.

The President of Boss Media was quoted as saying that "We are breaking new ground together with Svenska Spel. Internet poker is a very successful product and the state operators are all very strong in their national markets.”

What will first occur is a 2-year trial period with the government returning to the decision at the end of the 24 months. Of course, visitors to the site will need to be at least 18 years of age to play and advertising for the site will be limited to newspapers and the internet.

Besides providing another online poker room (and one that we can be sure will be safe, secure, and well-regulated) Sweden’s move also helps to further popularize online poker in general and hopefully, lead to a loosening of restrictions in other countries as well. As more and more people (and governments) embrace online poker, choices, security, and quality will improve and thus, benefit us, the consumer. We don’t know about you, but we’re anxious to see what this new Swedish poker room will be like - we’ll be sure to check it out.