4 Operators Hit by Spelinspektionen with Penalties for Bonus Violations

Four operators in Sweden received penalty fees and warnings from the country’s gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen, for their bonus violations.

The Penalty Fees Depend on the Violation and the Operator’s Turnover

The Swedish gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen, issued penalty fees and warnings to Snabbare Ltd, ComeOn Sweden, Casinostugan, and Hajper Ltd. The size of the fees depended on each operator’s violation and the turnover. Since the violations were similar in nature this time, the amount of the fines was determined by the turnover.

Gaming operators in Sweden can offer bonuses to customers for their first session according to regulations in Sweden. Spelinspektionen found out that the four operators offered customers bonuses repeatedly. The regulator also said that players at risk should not receive gifts. According to Spelinspektionen, the operators were also in violation in this regard. The gaming regulator also stated that gaming licenses could be revoked if the warnings were not sufficient.

Four Operators’ Violations and Corresponding Penalty Fees 

Casinostugan received a warning and a penalty fee of 25 million kr ($3 million). A review on a Casinstugan sample customer’s account revealed that the player received bonus funds of 21,000 kr ($2521) and free spins for online slots.

Hajper Ltd also received a warning and a penalty fee of 50 million kr ($6 million). It was revealed that Hajper had given to one of its players bonus funds of 7 400 kr ($889) as well as free bets, while another player had received 13 500 kr ($1 621) and free spins.

ComeOn Sweden received a penalty fee of 35 million kr ($4.2 million) plus a warning. The regulator found out that ComeOn had bonus funds of 40 000 kr ($4803) deposited to a sample player.

Snabbare Ltd received a warning and the highest penalty fee of all four operators, 65 million kr ($7.80 million). Spelinspektionen established that Snabbare Ltd offered free spins to a player and deposited bonus funds of 6,950 kr ($835) to another customer’s account.

Swedish Gaming Legal Since 2019 under the Gaming Act

Since the beginning of 2019, Swedish gaming is legal under the Gaming Act with Spelinspektionen as its gaming monitoring institution. The Swedish gaming market launched on January 1, 2019, with 60 active operators on board.

According to regulations, players cannot receive more than one bonus per registration on a platform. Previously, the regulator targeted Skill On Net and Betsson’s subsidiary NGG Nordic over bonus policies in 2019. Handing out free spins on games and offering bonuses more than once after the initial registration according is prohibited.

Recently the Spelinspektionen shared the results of a follow-up survey on responsible gambling. The regulator reminded operators that it is their responsibility to comply with gambling laws and help customers understand the risks related to gambling.