The 10 operators will have to close 45 brands in total. The list of offenses includes offering service in the Swedish language, allowing payments in local currency (kronor), as well as direct or affiliated marketing strategies aimed at Swedish customers.
The majority of the businesses in question hold licenses from Curaçao while others are licensed by Cyprus and Malta. Spelinspektionen’s strategy against unlicensed activity includes several steps. The first is an issued warning. The next can lead to fines, and if the problem persists, police will get involved. The regulator also has a right to request a court to block payment providers from processing transactions related to the businesses.
Since last year, Spelinspektionen ordered 21 operators to withdraw from the Swedish market. Additionally, the regulator introduced new and stricter guidelines against unlicensed operations. This includes mandatory deposit limits, SEK5,000 (£428) per week, capped bonuses that cannot exceed SEK100, and playtime limits set by players. However, licensed operators warn this will push more players towards illegal gambling, where these limits don’t exist.
