Compliance Updates
Anger in the Industry After the Swedish Gambling Authority’s Acquittal of Infiniza
Last Friday, Di wrote about how the Swedish Gambling Authority closed an investigation into the Malta-based casino operator Infiniza, whose online casino, according to the authority’s assessment, is not aimed at Swedes. This is after the company changed the payment operator, i.e. who manages the transfer of gambling money from bank accounts to the casino, and the criteria that determine whether someone directs gambling at Swedes are not considered fulfilled.
Actions Did The Trick For Infiniza
“In light of the measures Infiniza Limited has taken regarding the company’s marketing as well as the payment options and/or payment service providers that were the subject of the current supervisory case, the Swedish Gambling Inspectorate assesses that the company, based on what emerged in the case, ceased to provide gambling aimed at the Swedish market without necessary license”
From the Gambling Authority’s decision that Infiniza review ceases, 21/2 2024.
Gustaf Hoffstedt, general secretary of the licensed gambling operators’ association The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (Bos), is upset.
“It is offensive, and endangers the entire safety and security of the Swedish gambling license system,” he told Di about the Spelinspektionen’s decision, which he read about “with dismay” in Di.
According to Gustaf Hoffstedt, who refers to web traffic statistics that Di has taken part in, Infiniza is one of Sweden’s largest players in online casinos.
“They are estimated to have a significant operation in Sweden, in fact a large part of it is intended to receive Swedish consumers. It is of course extremely profitable, as they do not pay any Swedish gambling tax.”
The Swedish Gambling Authority’s decision has been made after Infiniza’s casinos changed their payment provider to one based in Lithuania. In the past, the Swedish-registered payment services Finshark and Zimpler reviewed by Di have been used.
“That’s exactly how it goes: if someone shines a spotlight on the fact that payment intermediaries ‘blue’ are not okay, payment intermediaries become ‘red’, then ‘green’, then ‘purple’ – and it goes on forever.”
Gustaf Hoffstedt calls for stricter legislation similar to that in the Netherlands, where it is forbidden to even accept domestic players – whereby more people play with the licensed players.
“The basic problem is the scope of the Swedish law, that is to say that unlicensed gambling companies are not explicitly prohibited from passively accepting Swedish players, provided that the company does not target them,” he says.
For several years, BOS has addressed the problem to both governments, investigators and the Gambling Authority and called for the Netherlands’ example to be followed, with the criminalization of passively accepting and enabling Swedish players.
However, the organization has cut stone in stone, and has not received a hearing for its proposal.
“The government does not want this. It claims that the channelization (the percentage of licensed gamblers, Di’s note) is good in Sweden, which unfortunately is not true, that the gambling market is stable, which is also not true, and that this is not a path that Sweden should follow.”
Marcus Aronsson, investigator at Spelinspektionen, told Di that the decision from last Friday only concerns Infiniza’s use of Zimpler, and that the just concluded case was already started in 2021.
He cannot comment on whether the payment company or companies used thereon means that Infiniza can be considered to target Swedes, nor whether a new review of the operator has been initiated after the Zimpler case.
In the decision, however, it is explicitly mentioned that the Swedish Gambling Authority can initiate a new supervisory case if Infiniza can again be considered to target the Swedish market without the necessary license.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Rapidly-expanding software provider enters its 13th regulated market following Italian regulator’s approval of Elysium Studios – Driven by Swintt titles
Having previously outlined its intentions to enter more regulated markets throughout 2025, sought-after software provider Swintt has announced that it has now officially been greenlit by Italy’s Agencia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) to offer its slots in the country.
The new certification has initially been granted for Elysium Studios – Driven by Swintt titles, and though further approval is planned for both SwinttPremium and SwinttSelect releases in the not-too-distant future, the provider has already put pen to paper with two of Italy’s leading operators.
Launched in 2024 following Swintt’s acquisition of Elysium Studios, Elysium Studios – Driven by Swintt is a cutting-edge collection of releases that incorporates elements of social, mobile and casino gaming to deliver a more engaging experience that’s custom-made for the modern player.
Featuring inventive themes, innovative features and intuitive, mobile-first game mechanics, some of the biggest hits to come from the collaboration to date include the quirky, folk lore-inspired I Hate Fairytales and the swashbuckling skull and bones epic, Pirate Pledge Hold & Win.
Given both titles boast a cast of characters that includes everything from punk rock princesses to salty sea dogs and a huge selection of rewarding bonus rounds, the two games and many more from the Elysium Studios line-up are certain to prove a popular addition among Italian audiences.
With Swintt’s successful acquisition of ADM certification now paving the way for the provider to enter its 13th regulated market, the decision will significantly expand the company’s European footprint and enable it to form further partnerships with Italian operators in the months to come.
David Mann, Chief Executive Officer at Swintt, said: “At Swintt, our focus has always been on ensuring that our content gets put in front of players in as many regulated markets as possible – and acquiring ADM approval to offer our games in Italy is another significant step on this journey.
“As an established iGaming market with a huge emerging player base, we feel our Elysium Studios – Driven by Swintt line-up can make a big impact in the region and we look forward to being able to roll out our other core line-ups very soon.”
The post Swintt games go live in Italy after receiving ADM certification appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: < 1 minute
The Swedish Gambling Authority has launched supervision of AB Svenska Spel’s gaming venues. The supervision covers turnover and the placement of slot machines.
This is the latest step in Spelinspektionen’s push to keep Sweden’s gambling sector in check and make sure companies meet the standards laid out in the Swedish Gambling Act.
When the review is complete, Spelinspektionen will publish the results.
The post Spelinspektionen Launches Supervision of AB Svenska Spel’s Gaming Venues appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
Turkish Football Federation Suspends 149 Referees and Assistants After Betting Probe
Reading Time: < 1 minute
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has suspended 149 referees and assistant referees after an investigation found hundreds of professional match officials in the country had betting accounts.
Bans ranging from eight to 12 months, based on the severity of the act, have been imposed for involvement in betting activity, with investigations into three other officials still ongoing.
The full list of the penalised officials was published on the TFF website.
Last week, it was revealed a five-year probe had found 371 of 571 match officials have betting accounts, with 152 of those actively gambling.
While some had only bet once, 42 had bet on more than 1000 football matches – with one official found to have placed 18,227 bets.
Like players and coaches, match officials are forbidden from participating in betting activities by TFF disciplinary regulations, as well as those of world governing body Fifa and European governing body Uefa.
“There is a moral crisis in Turkish football. There is no such thing as structure. The fundamental problem at the core of Turkish football is an ethical one,” TFF president Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu said.
“Ask any referee, if there is even one who has not received his pay, I will resign as federation president. In fact, we improved their salaries last year, and again this year.”
No further details of the cases or ongoing investigations were provided.
After the investigation’s findings were announced, a number of Turkey’s top clubs responded.
Besiktas said it “could mark a new beginning for clean football” while Trabzonspor called the development “an historic opportunity to rebuild justice in Turkish football”.
Fenerbahce president Sadettin Saran said: “This is both shocking and deeply saddening for Turkish football.
“But the fact that it is coming to light is a hopeful development.”
The post Turkish Football Federation Suspends 149 Referees and Assistants After Betting Probe appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Denmark5 days agoPeter & Sons Expands Its Danish Presence Through Partnership with Spillehallen
-
Trusted7 days agoTrusted Crypto Casinos of 2025: Jackbit Introduces No-KYC Play, Fast Withdrawals & a New Welcome Bonus for Global Players
-
Latest News4 days ago
Reels.io Goes Live with Vegangster’s Next-Gen Video Discovery
-
Baltics4 days ago
DATA.BET Now Powers Esports for Entain NCE Across Baltics & Nordics
-
Demi Gods VII Ultra Mode4 days ago
Spinomenal presents: Demi Gods VII Ultra Mode
-
Latest News4 days ago
7StarsPartners Announces the Door to Dubai Promotion, Featuring a Grand Prize: A Luxury Apartment in Dubai
-
Limit6 days ago
No Limit Casino 2025: JACKBIT Leads as the No Limit Online Casino for High-Roller Players & 7,000+ Games
-
Latest News4 days ago
Dive for riches in Relax Gaming release Treasure Tumble Dream Drop
