Spelinspektionen bans Bitx Operations and Ryker from operating in Sweden
Neither holds the necessary licence to provide games in Sweden
Key points:
– The Swedish gaming regulator, Spelinspektionen, has banned Bitx Operations and Ryker from targeting Sweden
– The ban comes as Sweden continues its efforts to curb unregulated iGaming
Spelinspektionen has banned Bitx Operations and Ryker from targeting Swedish players. Neither business held the necessary licence to offer their games to Swedish players; however, it has not been confirmed if these bans also come with financial repercussions.
In both instances, Spelinspektionen wrote: ‘The Swedish Gambling Authority prioritises measures that contribute to gambling taking place at operators that have a Swedish gaming licence. We clarify the grounds for our decisions to ban illegal online gambling by publishing these on our website.’
The bans follow reports on the rate of channelisation in Swedish gaming. It was found that the nation currently holds a rate of 85%, meaning 15% of games are being played through unregulated channels, with iGaming playing a significant part, with a 72-82% channelisation rate.
Good to know: Spelinspektionen has appointed Johan Röhr as new General Director, following the exit of Camilla Rosenburg the week prior
Indeed, this channelisation rate is part of a wider need for reformation in Sweden. The Ministry of Finance is set to launch a new inquiry into the industry, however, some have deemed the Ministry’s plan to be insufficient.
In an open letter, the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling called for a new, ‘preferably broad parliamentary inquiry,’ with Secretary General Gustaf Hoffstedt later adding: “The appointment of a broad inquiry tasked with preventing leakage to the unlicensed gambling market would undoubtedly be this Government’s most important measure to protect and strengthen the legal, regulated gambling market, before Sweden goes to the polls in September next year.”
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