The Swedish gambling regulator Spelinspektionen (formerly Lotteriinspektionen) has issued a warning to all newly licensed online gaming and betting operators that they could receive hefty fines or even have their licenses suspended/terminated if they fail to implement an integration to Sweden’s national self-exclusion system Spelpaus.se.
The new Swedish gambling law took effect on January 1, 2019. Under the country’s newly adopted regulatory framework, gambling companies, both domestic and international ones, are required to apply for and obtain a license from Spelinspektionen in order to be able to service Swedish customers.
The new law also mandates that all licensed operators connect their websites to the national self-exclusion system, thus making it possible for gamblers who want to limit their gambling activity to do so in an easier and more effective manner.
Reports have emerged recently that there have been Sweden-facing licensees that have failed to complete the necessary self-exclusion integration process and that players who have opted to self-exclude themselves from gambling were still able to gamble on certain websites.
Information has also surfaced that Malta-based gambling group Genesis Global, operator of the Spinit Casino and VegasHero Casino brands, has failed to properly integrate its Swedish operation into the national self-exclusion scheme. The company said in a statement from yesterday that it has detected the issue preventing the successful integration and that said issue was being addressed.
Spelinspektionen Threatens to Channel UK Gambling Commission and Slap Hefty Fines
Spelinspektionen went on to say that violators would face warnings and penalties for repeated breaches of the terms of their licenses. The regulator plans to impose hefty fines in a manner similar to the UK Gambling Commission, which has redefined the concept of hefty fines over the past several years, slapping seven-figure financial penalties to erring gambling companies. Spelinspektionen clarified that when and if it fines a violator, the penalty would not exceed 10% of their turnover from the Swedish market.
If a company repeats its violations and continues to neglect the local standards and rules for the provision of gambling services, it could have its license suspended or terminated, the Swedish gambling regulator warned.
Spelinspektionen said earlier this month that more than 10,000 adults have self-excluded themselves from gambling via the Spelpaus.se website since the introduction of the country’s new regulatory framework.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on the day’s top casino news stories.
