Compliance Updates
Swedish Regulator Issues SEK300,000 Fine to Yggdrasil for Supplying its Online Gaming Software to Unlicensed Operator
Spelinspektionen, the Swedish gaming regulator, has issued a SEK300,000 (€26,200) penalty fee and a warning to Yggdrasil for allegedly supplying gaming software to an unlicensed company operating in Sweden.
Yggdrasil received its software licence on 22 March 2023. This permitted it to create, supply and install gaming software used for online games in Sweden. This licence expires on 20 June 2028.
The regulator said it began its investigation on 16 January 2024, when it began to investigate websites being run by unlicensed operators in Sweden. It is understood that Yggdrasil was a supplier for one of these websites, according to Spelinspektionen’s decision outline.
This contravenes chapter 11, section 6 of Sweden’s Gambling Act. This section outlines that game software licensees must not provide software for anyone that does not hold a licence.
In response to the investigation, Yggdrasil said it had corrected the issue on 23 January 2024. It stated that the contravention had come about due to a breach in contract between itself and a retailer. Yggdrasil stipulated that it no longer “manufactures, supplies, installs or changes gaming software for players without the necessary licence”.
The regulator acknowledged that Yggdrasil complied with its order, but added that this is expected of all licensees.
“Yggdrasil has promptly taken corrective action and removed games and all other types of assets belonging to Yggdrasil from the website in question and ceased the violation since it was notified by the Gaming Authority,” reads the decision.
“The collaboration cannot, however, be considered to have been active in a different way than what one must normally be able to expect from a company that has chosen to operate licensed activities under supervision.
“The mitigating circumstances do not outweigh the seriousness of the offense in such a way that it can be considered minor or excusable. In summary, the Swedish Gaming Authority assesses that the violation is serious.”
Spelinspektionen concluded that a warning would be given rather than revoking Yggdrasil’s licence in Sweden altogether. This is also combined with the penalty fee issued.
The fee must be at a minimum of SEK5000 and set at a maximum of 10% of the company’s turnover in relation to the preceding financial year. As Yggdrasil’s net sales hit €514,566 in 2023 – the equivalent of SEK5.8m – the fee could have been as high as SEK580,000.
The post Swedish Regulator Issues SEK300,000 Fine to Yggdrasil for Supplying its Online Gaming Software to Unlicensed Operator appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
Spillemyndigheden: Anti-Money Laundering- A report to the police must be followed up by a notification
Notifications to the Money Laundering Secretariat is one the most important sources of information on money laundering and financing of terrorism. A notification is information about a potentially criminal act, and it cannot be replaced by a report to the police.
Gambling operators are obligated to notify in accordance with section 26 of the AML Act. The obligation to notify means that gambling operators must immediately notify the Money Laundering Secretariat if they know of, suspect, or have reason to believe that a transaction, funds or an activity is or has been linked to money laundering or financing of terrorism.
Notifications are essential for the role of the Money Laundering Secretariat, as notifications can in themselves constitute a case. In addition, a notification about a suspicion can be part of a larger case of other suspicious matters.
Police reports cannot replace notifications
There are no exceptions to the obligation to notify even if you have reported the matter to the police. In case a gambling operator has reported a customer to the police, the gambling operator must also notify the Money Laundering Secretariat which is an authority independent from the police.
The post Spillemyndigheden: Anti-Money Laundering- A report to the police must be followed up by a notification appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
CT Interactive Certifies 60 Games and Hot Luck Jackpot for Peru
CT Interactive has successfully certified 60 of its most popular games, along with the Hot Luck Jackpot, in Peru. This certification aligns with recent legislative updates in the Peruvian market, aimed at enhancing the gaming environment.
In response to these regulatory updates, CT Interactive has proactively certified a diverse range of games to provide Peruvian operators with a wide array of engaging gaming options. The newly certified games cover a broad spectrum of themes and features, ensuring that there is something for every type of player.
The newly certified games are: Hit the Hot, Lord of Luck the Wheel, Wizard Blizzard, 20 Star Party, Celestial Dragon, 40 Mega Slot, Monkey Sevens, 40 Shining Jewels, Shining Treasures, 40 Treasures, Giraffe Wild, 50 Treasures, Rodeo Power, Alaska Wild, Lord of Luck, Amazons Spear, Ramesses the Great, Banana Party, Fortune Pig, Brilliants Hot, The Power of Ramesses, Brilliants on Fire, Treasure Chase, Chilli Fruits, The Oldest Oak, Coffee Magic, Banana Merge, Dancing Dragons, Fortune Pyramid, Duck of Luck, HOT 7’s X 2, Fire Dozen, Magic Crown, Fortune Fish, Pick the Pig, Great Queen Bee, Win Storm, Lucky 3 Penguins, 20 Clovers Hot, Lucky Clover, Full of Luck, Penguin Party, The Great Sevens, Pot’o Luck, Fire Egg, Purple Fruits, The Golden Duck, Purple Hot 2, 40 Fruitata Wins, Pyramid of Gold, Power Storm, Wild Clover, The Big Chilli, Wild Hills, Jester Jack, Big Joker, Lucky Kiwi, Dark woods, 20 Mega Slot and Fluffy Tails.
Each of these games has been meticulously tested and certified to meet the stringent new standards set forth by Peruvian regulators.
The post CT Interactive Certifies 60 Games and Hot Luck Jackpot for Peru appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Australia
AUSTRAC and SkyCity agree to proposed $67 million penalty
SkyCity Adelaide Pty Ltd (SkyCity) and AUSTRAC have filed joint submissions with the Federal Court of Australia, proposing a $67 million penalty over the casino’s contravention of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (AML/CTF Act).
A court hearing has been set down for 7 June 2024, at which Justice Lee will consider the parties’ proposed settlement.
While AUSTRAC and SkyCity agree that a $67 million penalty is appropriate in all the circumstances, it is a matter for the court to determine the appropriate penalty.
In reaching this agreement, SkyCity has admitted that it operated in contravention of the AML/CTF Act, including that:
- its AML/CTF Programs did not meet the requirements of the AML/CTF Act and AML/CTF Rules, in contravention of section 81.
- it did not carry out appropriate ongoing customer due diligence with respect to certain higher risk customers and customers transacting through higher risk channels, in contravention of section 36.
“AUSTRAC took this action out of concern that SkyCity’s conduct meant that a range of high-risk practices, behaviours and customer relationships were allowed to continue unchecked for many years,” AUSTRAC’s Chief Executive Officer, Brendan Thomas said.
Mr Thomas said the action serves as an important reminder to casinos and the gaming sector to take their AML/CTF obligations seriously and be vigilant to money laundering and terrorism financing risks.
As the matter is before the court for determination, AUSTRAC is unable to comment further on the proceedings.
The post AUSTRAC and SkyCity agree to proposed $67 million penalty appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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