Compliance onus is on licensees Swedish authority warns

Sweden’s gaming authority Spelinspektionen has publicly warned licensed operators to shape up or ship out after receiving numerous complaints involving the self-exclusion programme, promotion and design failings.

The statement published on Spelinspektionen’s website warns licensees that the onus is on them to ensure they are compliant with regulations.

Complaints have primarily involved deficiencies in relation to the licensee’s responsibility for checking against the self-exclusion register, Spelpaus.se, and self-excluded Swedes being targeted by promotional campaigns.

However, the authority said deficiencies in the design requirements of certain licensees has also been brought to its attention.

“The one starting point for the new gambling regulation was that gambling should be channeled to responsible, reliable and controllable operators,” the statement reads.

“A licensee shall, on his own initiative, ensure that he fulfils his obligations under the regulations. The award of a license means that the responsibility for the gaming business lies with the license holder. With this responsibility follows an obligation to ensure that the requirements of the regulation are observed in all areas.”

Licensed operators will face investigations initiated by the authority who will act if regulatory requirements are not met.

Warnings, financial penalties and the withdrawal of an operator’s license are some of the penalties non-compliance may attract.

Warnings may be accompanied by a penalty fee which can not exceed ten percent of the Licenesee’s turnover, Spelinspektionen said, and severe breaches may result in the operator’s license being withdrawn.

Spelinspektionen also warned it will take measures against unlicensed operators who continue to operate internet gaming in the market.

“Severe penalties will be imposed on those operators who carry out gaming activities without a license. Measures against illegal gambling are important.”

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