Spelinspektionen, the Swedish Gambling Authority, has ordered WinBet NV to cease operating on the territory of the country, effective immediately. Issuing a ruling on Thursday, July 3, the regulator said that WinBet NV had targeted Swedish customers without the necessary license to do so through superb.bet.
Offender alleged to have tailored its offer to Swedish players
In a statement posted on the website, the regulator detailed the case against the website, arguing that it contained text in Swedish and that Swedish customers were allowed to access the operator, as well as set up accounts.
The watchdog cited the Gambling Act, arguing that the goal of a regulated market was to ensure that consumers were protected and safe. Since superb.bet does not hold a license recognized by the Spelinspektionen, the watchdog could not verify that consumer protection mandates are met.
Even if it could, a gambling website without a license from the Swedish regulator is not considered legal under current law. The operator in question did hold a Greek license, which still did not qualify it to offer its services locally.
Spelinspektionen also stated that it had allowed WinBet to respond and present the company’s side of the story, but no response was received. Furthermore, the website also offered players to deposit, play, and withdraw funds in Swedish Krona, the national currency.
Spelinspektionen focuses on cracking down on non-compliant operators
The Swedish gambling market is one of the most heavily regulated. At the beginning of June, the regulator issued fines against a number of licensed operators, including Betsson, Snabbare, and TSG, citing various shortcomings.
Betsson was also ordered by a Swedish court to repay a gambler €500,000 that the player had spent before market legalization, and between 2009 and 2014.
