Sweden's Spelinspektionen Revokes Licenses of Three Operators Over Bonus Abuse Violations
The Swedish Gambling Authority has stripped operating licenses from three online casino operators following an extended investigation into systematic breaches of the country's strict bonus offering rules. The decision marks the largest single enforcement action by the regulator since the regulated market launched in 2019.
Sweden's Spelinspektionen announced Monday it has revoked the licenses of Spelklubben AB, NordicBet Solutions, and Casino24 Nordic following a 14-month investigation that uncovered repeated violations of Section 14 of the Swedish Gambling Act, which restricts operators to offering bonuses only on a player's first deposit. Investigators found the three operators had collectively distributed more than SEK 180 million in undisclosed incentives, reload bonuses, and VIP cashback arrangements to over 40,000 Swedish players between 2023 and 2025.
Director General Camilla Rosenberg said the revocations should serve as a definitive warning to the market. "These were not isolated administrative errors but deliberate, structured programs designed to circumvent consumer protection rules at the heart of the Swedish licensing regime," Rosenberg stated. The regulator also imposed combined financial penalties of SEK 47 million and has referred two senior executives to the Swedish Economic Crime Authority for further review of potential personal liability.
The enforcement action comes amid growing political pressure on Spelinspektionen to demonstrate stronger oversight, following parliamentary criticism earlier this year that channelization to licensed operators had stagnated near 77%. Industry body BOS responded cautiously to the decision, with Secretary General Gustaf Hoffstedt acknowledging that rule-breakers must face consequences but warning that overly aggressive enforcement could push more Swedish players toward unlicensed alternatives operating from outside the EU.
The three affected operators have 30 days to wind down Swedish-facing operations and transfer player balances. Spelinspektionen confirmed it is currently reviewing six additional operators for similar bonus-related concerns, with further enforcement decisions expected before the end of Q3. Analysts at Regulus Partners suggested the action could accelerate market consolidation, with smaller operators struggling to absorb the compliance costs now expected as standard in the Nordic region.