The Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA) has banned Curaçao-based operator Simba NV with immediate effect after an investigation found it had offered games to Sweden-based players without a licence.
The regulator’s findings determined that multiple websites owned by Simba, including BetBlast, SlotMonster and FoxyGold, had been targeting Swedish users via several different methods.
When accessing the site from a Swedish IP address, all three of the sites mentioned defaulted to Sweden as the selected country.
Additionally, BetBlast and SlotMonster have been marketed via Swedish-language affiliates, while FoxyGold was promoted by a Swedish-speaking Twitch streamer.
The SGA found that Simba is also overseeing at least 15 sites, while as of yesterday, 9 June, the marketing materials for SlotMonster can still be found on Swedish-language sites.
Due to the fact all three sites have the Swedish country code for mobile phones the default option when registering from a Swedish IP address, the SGA ruled that Simba had breached the nation’s Gambling Act.
The authority explained its reasons behind enforcing the ban with immediate effect, noting such a decision was taken with consumer protection in mind, as well as to “guarantee gaming safety”.
Simba, which has the right to appeal the verdict, was provided the chance to issue a reply by the SGA but has not issued any statement regarding the decision.
In other SGA news, the regulator’s decision to hit Svenska Spel with a SEK100m (£7.5m) fine and a warning, issued in March 2024, regarding perceived duty of care failings was overturned by the Swedish Administrative Court last week.
The Administrative Court’s decision to side with the operator stems from ambiguity in the country’s gambling legislation regarding responsible gaming measures.
The post Swedish regulator hits unlicensed Curaçao operator with immediate ban first appeared on EGR Intel.
Simba NV found to have been overseeing three sites in BetBlast, SlotMonster and FoxyGold that were all determined to have been targeting Sweden-based players
The post Swedish regulator hits unlicensed Curaçao operator with immediate ban first appeared on EGR Intel.