Swedish gambling company ATG said 17 of the country’s 20 largest illegal online gambling operators use platforms also used by licensed sites. ATG added that six use BankID and two appear on Spelinspektionen’s blacklist; chief executive Hasse Lord Skarplöth called for stricter controls.
The findings raise questions for Swedish regulators and licensed suppliers about platform use by unlicensed operators.
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The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS) has opposed a proposed ban on bonuses in Sweden, which Svenska Spel and ATG chief executives proposed in an opinion article on 7 November. BOS argued that a ban could push customers towards unlicensed gambling and benefit the two former monopoly operators; the proposal’s proponents said bonuses could contribute to gambling problems and attract younger people.
Swedish horseracing betting operator ATG has complained to Finland’s Competition and Consumer Authority, alleging that Veikkaus is abusing its position as it scales back their partnership. ATG says Veikkaus plans to stop distributing Swedish trotting races and data in Finland and to stop taking bets; Finland’s proposed law would allow licensed online gambling competition from 2027.
Finland’s Competition and Consumer Authority will investigate Veikkaus after receiving a complaint from ATG alleging anti-competitive conduct ahead of the planned 2027 market liberalisation. ATG cited five practices; Veikkaus said it had received a request for clarification, denied the allegations and would respond within the given schedule.
ATG complained to Finland’s Competition and Consumer Authority over Veikkaus’ conduct ahead of the planned opening of the remote gambling market. ATG alleges Veikkaus has restricted Swedish racing content and access to Finnish racing data; Veikkaus denies abusing its market position and said it would respond to the authority’s request for clarification.
Representatives of gambling regulators, law enforcement and industry bodies discussed responses to illegal gambling at the IAGA Conference in Berlin this week. The meeting was the first roundtable established under an MOU signed by the American Gaming Association, European Casino Association and Betting and Gaming Council last October; participants considered national and international strategies and possible joint efforts.