Spelinspektionen challenges proposed Swedish AML oversight powers

Sweden's Spelinspektionen has submitted its observations on a legislative proposal from the Ministry of Finance that would align national rules with the European Union's new anti-money-laundering package, the regulator said. The opinion carries the reference Fi2026/01654. Spelinspektionen said it broadly supports the proposed changes but raised objections on supervisory powers and the tools available to authorities.

The regulator said it opposes a proposal to give it responsibility for carrying out suitability checks and for supervising lotteries subject to registration. Spelinspektionen said it does not agree with extending its supervisory remit to that category of lotteries as set out in the draft. The regulator also objected to the ministry's assessment that competent authorities should not be able to attach a coercive fine to orders to provide information and documents when those orders are not complied with. According to the regulator, the ability to attach such a measure to those requests is a relevant question within the supervisory tools provided by anti-money-laundering rules.

Spelinspektionen also said some provisions in the draft are unclearly worded and that further clarification in the legislation is needed. The opinion sets out three central issues in Sweden's alignment with the EU anti-money-laundering package: the delimitation of responsibilities for registered lotteries, the availability of coercive tools to obtain information and documentation, and the clarity of the legislative provisions.

The observations will now form part of the consultation process on the Ministry of Finance's proposal, which is intended to define the national framework for applying the new European rules. The source gives no date for a decision and no response from the ministry.