Betsson Nordic Ltd has been issued a warning and fined SEK 6.5 million ($682,272) for shortcomings in its anti-money laundering (AML) practices in Sweden. The Swedish Gambling Authority, Spelinspektionen, began its supervision on May 2, 2024, focusing primarily on customer transactions and activities from the year 2023. The authority particularly scrutinized 10 customers who were among the top 50 depositors aged 18 to 29.
During the review, customer profiles and transaction histories of these 10 individuals were evaluated by Spelinspektionen. It was found that only two of these customers did not show any deficiencies. Among the other eight, one customer was noted for making 163 deposits between September 19 and December 30, 2023, which totaled SEK 491,950, despite their net annual income being only SEK 310,000. This customer’s risk was inexplicably assessed as low to medium.
Betsson responded by explaining that the total deposits exceeding the players’ incomes were due to the fact they had previously withdrawn betting winnings. Spelinspektionen stated, “The deficiencies identified are both serious and systematic.” Consequently, they imposed a fine of SEK 6.5 million, noting, “The imposed sanction is commensurate with the severity of the infringement.”
**Snabbare and Flutter’s TSG also fined for AML infractions**
In related news, Snabbare Ltd and The Stars Group (TSG) Interactive, subsidiaries of Flutter Entertainment, faced penalties for AML issues in Sweden. TSG Interactive was fined SEK 7 million, while Snabbare received a SEK 5.5 million fine.
Specifically, TSG allowed several patrons to exceed net deposits of SEK 424,514 within a 365-day period, which should have triggered more comprehensive due diligence and investigation into the sources of their funds. Spelinspektionen deemed TSG’s customer due diligence and actions in mitigating risks of money laundering inadequate.
Meanwhile, Snabbare faced criticism for accepting deposits that exceeded annual incomes, indicating insufficient understanding of their customers and delayed responses that increased the risks of money laundering exploitation.
Spelinspektionen described the deficiencies at all three operators as “serious and systematic,” leading to a total of SEK 19 million in fines.
**Busy Period for Spelinspektionen**
Just last week, Spelinspektionen announced sanctions against several charity and political organizations managing lotteries due to inadequate control over contractors and marketing violations. The fined entities include the Swedish Social Democratic Workers’ Party, the Swedish Social Democratic Youth League, and the Swedish Social Democratic Women’s League, each facing a SEK 3 million fine.
Earlier in May, an action by Spelinspektionen fined Kindred’s subsidiary Spooniker SEK 10 million for AML deficiencies, and Videoslots was ordered to pay SEK 12 million in April for failing to prevent excessive gambling. These actions are part of Spelinspektionen’s active focus in 2025, including the recent measures against Betsson for AML shortcomings.