Press Releases
Sweden urged to rethink restrictions as searches for ‘unlicensed casino’ surges 700%

New BonusFinder data shows 54 unlicensed operators already targeting Sweden and warns new proposals will put players at greater risk
BonusFinder.com has urged the Swedish government to reconsider its proposals to introduce further restrictions on online gambling as a result of the pandemic or risk long-term consequences of a sharp increase in black market activity.
In a formal response to a consultation on the government’s proposals, BonusFinder warned that introducing stricter measures would lead to a long-lasting diversion of players to unlicensed sites and pose a greater risk to Swedish consumers, legal licensees and the licensed market in the future.
BonusFinder has identified more than 54 unlicensed sites targeting Sweden compared to the 65 licensed operators, with the majority offering online casino. The research conducted by using Google Trends also found the number of searches for unlicensed casino brands targeting Sweden to have risen by 305% in the last 12 months.
The study also discovered that in the last 12 months searches for ‘casino utan licens’ (and other similar terms), saw a 710% growth compared to a 173% increase in ‘online casino’.
In March this year, initial BonusFinder research found that almost a third of Swedish online casino players are searching online for ‘unlicensed casinos’, with growing numbers turning to black-market brands due to the market’s restrictive gaming regulations, introduced in January 2019.
The Swedish government’s new plans include the introduction of stricter bonus limits of SEK100 (€8), as well as mandatory weekly deposit limits of SEK5,000 (€458) that would be in place for an initial six-month period from June 1.
Fintan Costello, Managing Director, Bonusfinder.com, said: “We understand the Swedish government has put forward its proposals with the best intentions to protect its citizens, but as our research has shown, the existing restrictive measures have resulted in a large number of players turning to unlicensed operators outside of the legal framework and without any protection. Channelisation rates are falling and unlicensed brands are booming.
“Our message to the government is to seriously reconsider its proposals. More stringent measures would only serve to further fuel the existing black market. The consequences of these actions would be felt for a long period of time as players lost to the illegal offering would not easily return to regulated sites once measures are lifted.”
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Latest News
WSOP Online Returns to GGPoker This August with 33 Gold Bracelets and $5,000,000 in Special Promotions!

Play for millions in prizes from August 17 through September 30
GGPoker, the World’s Biggest Poker Room, is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated return of WSOP Online this August, bringing the thrill and prestige of the World Series of Poker® directly to players’ screens. The six-week festival will run from August 17 to September 30, featuring 33 official WSOP Gold Bracelet events, tens of millions in guaranteed prizes, and a gigantic $5,000,000 in special promotions designed to reward players across the globe.
This year’s WSOP Online series on GGPoker promises an exhilarating journey for players of all skill levels, offering a direct path to poker immortality and a share of millions in guaranteed prize money. The schedule is packed with can’t-miss events, including:
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August 25: $215 Mystery Millions – Featuring a staggering $1,000,000 top bounty and a $10,000,000 guaranteed prize pool
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September 8: $1,500 MILLIONAIRE MAKER – With an impressive $1,000,000 guaranteed for first place and a total $5,000,000 guaranteed prize pool
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September 22: $5,000 WSOP Online MAIN EVENT – The flagship tournament boasting a colossal $25,000,000 guaranteed prize pool
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September 29: $10,300 GGMillion$ High Rollers – A premier event for high-stakes players with a $10,000,000 guarantee
Adding to the excitement, WSOP Online 2025 will include a suite of innovative promotions offering even more ways to win:
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$3,000,000 Continental Flipouts: As in previous series, players will be assigned to one of four continents, and Continental Flipouts will be held following each bracelet event (open to bracelet-event participants from the same continents as the event winners). These special flipouts will feature prize pools of up to $250,000, fostering incredible regional rivalry
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$1,000,000 Super Pass Bonus: Each of the 33 Bracelet winners will receive a coveted $30,000 Super Pass, granting them direct access to the record-breaking WSOP Paradise $60M Super Main Event in the Bahamas this December
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$1,000,000 Ranking Freeroll: The top 10 countries in the Bracelet Rankings will unlock 10 exclusive freeroll tournaments for their players, with prize pools scaled according to each country’s final rank, adding another layer of national pride to the competition
“WSOP Online is about to deliver another incredible experience,” said Daniel Negreanu, GGPoker Global Ambassador. “With 33 gold bracelets up for grabs, huge prizes, plus millions in special bonuses like the Continental Flipouts and Super Passes to WSOP Paradise, this series is a must-play for any poker enthusiast. It’s a truly global celebration of the game, and I can’t wait to see who takes home the gold!”
The wider poker community can follow the WSOP Online action live at GGPoker.tv, with the final table of the $5K Main Event broadcast on September 23 at 18:45 UTC (hosted by Jeff Gross & special guest) and the final table of the $10K GGMillion$ High Rollers broadcast on September 30 at 18:45 UTC (hosted by Jeff Gross & Daniel Negreanu).
Players can qualify for each monumental WSOP Online event through satellites running around the clock on GGPoker, making the dream of winning a WSOP Gold Bracelet more attainable than ever. New players to GGPoker are also eligible to claim the Welcome Bonus, earn rewards with the Honeymoon for Newcomers promotion, and automatically join the Fish Buffet loyalty program, offering regular cash prizes.
The post WSOP Online Returns to GGPoker This August with 33 Gold Bracelets and $5,000,000 in Special Promotions! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
GeoLocs and Shufti Join Forces to Streamline Player Onboarding and Compliance

GeoLocs, the specialist geolocation platform for the iGaming, Sports Betting and iLottery industries, has partnered with identity verification provider Shufti to deliver a seamless and secure user experience for both operators and players in regulated markets worldwide.
The integration of GeoLocs’ precise geolocation technology with Shufti’s robust identity verification solutions allows operators to onboard players faster while maintaining full compliance with local regulations. The partnership reduces friction in the registration and verification process, enabling a smoother journey from sign-up to gameplay.
Will Whitehead, Commercial Director at GeoLocs, commented: “We’re excited to be working with Shufti to bring a more seamless, secure experience to clients and players alike. Both of our technologies have been built with compliance and UX at their core, and this partnership allows us to combine strengths—making onboarding and verification faster, smoother, and more robust for operators in regulated markets.”
With regulatory frameworks tightening in both emerging and established jurisdictions, the collaboration ensures that operators have access to integrated tools that deliver high standards of security, compliance, and user experience.
Roger Redfearn-Tyrzyk, SVP of Sales at Shufti, added: “We’re proud to be teaming up with GeoLocs to support operators in delivering frictionless onboarding and a high level of regulatory compliance. Our joint capabilities mean operators can verify users quickly and accurately while GeoLocs ensures they are playing from permitted locations—creating an end-to-end experience that puts both security and user satisfaction first.”
This partnership underscores both companies’ commitment to innovation and player-centric technology in the fast-evolving iGaming space.
The post GeoLocs and Shufti Join Forces to Streamline Player Onboarding and Compliance appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Gavin Hamilton Joins Sports & Wellbeing Analytics as Chairman to Accelerate Global Expansion

Sports & Wellbeing Analytics (“SWA”), a fast-scaling innovator in AI-powered sports data and betting models, today announced the appointment of Gavin Hamilton as Chairman of the Board.
Hamilton is a widely respected leader in the gambling and gaming industry, known for scaling high-growth companies and driving innovation in regulated markets. His previous roles include CEO of Red Tiger Gaming – where he led the company through explosive global growth and its acquisition by Netent AB – as well as senior leadership positions at NetEnt AB, Flutter, and Evolution.
Speaking about his appointment, Gavin Hamilton said “SWA is sitting on transformative IP that could reshape how the industry thinks about live betting, integrity, and athlete data,” said Gavin Hamilton. “The team has built something genuinely unique at the intersection of sport and real-time analytics, and I’m excited to help steer the next phase of global expansion.”
Caspar Hobbs, CEO of SWA, welcomed the appointment: “Gavin’s arrival is a major endorsement of our strategy and ambition. He brings not just deep sector knowledge, but also the credibility and leadership needed to help SWA scale in key markets and take advantage of the incredible demand for smarter, faster, and fairer sports data.”
The post Gavin Hamilton Joins Sports & Wellbeing Analytics as Chairman to Accelerate Global Expansion appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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