Summary
- WinBet NV has been instructed to stop operating in Sweden.
- The national regulatory authority has directed WinBet NV and its website, super.bet, to withdraw from the market.
- Super.bet enabled players to register, play, and place bets on the website using SEK.
The Swedish Gambling Authority, Spelinspektionen, has mandated that WinBet NV immediately halt its operations within Sweden. In a ruling issued on Thursday, July 3, the regulator stated that WinBet NV was unlawfully targeting Swedish customers via superb.bet without possessing the appropriate license.
Offender alleged to have tailored its offer to Swedish players
In a statement on its website, the regulator outlined the case against the site, stating it contained text in Swedish and allowed Swedish customers to access the platform and create accounts. The agency referenced the Gambling Act, emphasizing that a regulated market aims to protect and ensure consumer safety. Since superb.bet lacks a license approved by Spelinspektionen, the agency could not confirm that it meets consumer protection standards. Even if verification were possible, a gambling website without a license from the Swedish regulator is considered illegal under current laws. Although the operator holds a Greek license, this does not authorize it to offer services locally. Spelinspektionen also noted that it had given WinBet the opportunity to respond and share its perspective, but no reply was received. Moreover, the site allowed players to deposit, play, and withdraw funds in Swedish Krona, the national currency.
Spelinspektionen focuses on cracking down on non-compliant operators
The Swedish gambling market is among the most heavily regulated. In early June, the regulatory authority imposed fines on several licensed operators, including Betsson, Snabbare, and TSG, due to various compliance issues. Additionally, Betsson was ordered by a Swedish court to reimburse a gambler €500,000. This amount was lost by the player before the market's legalization, specifically between 2009 and 2014.
