Swedish Gambling Authority bans two unlicensed operators targeting local players

• The Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA) bars two more unlicensed operators targeting Swedish players
• The operators lacked the required Swedish gaming licences and promoted services using Swedish language and marketing
• The bans form part of SGA’s ongoing effort to protect consumers and strengthen Sweden’s regulated gambling market

Spelinspektionen has issued banning orders against two gambling operators found to be illegally targeting Swedish players without holding the necessary Swedish gaming licences.

The operators, identified as Bitx Operations and Ryker, were confirmed by the authority to be offering games and services designed for Swedish consumers without the required licences.

The move, announced in early September 2025, reflects ongoing regulatory enforcement efforts to maintain consumer protection and integrity in Sweden’s gambling market.The bans against Bitx Operations and Ryker follow a series of similar enforcement actions by the SGA in recent months.

The authority has previously targeted numerous Curaçao-based and other foreign operators for failing to comply with Swedish licensing requirements. Examples include prohibitions against Simba NV and Liquid Entertainment NV for promoting unlicensed gambling services to Swedish players.

Investigations by the SGA revealed that both operators used Swedish-language marketing and presented services specifically aimed at Swedish players. The regulator highlighted instances where websites defaulted to Sweden during the registration process and provided content in Swedish. Such localisation measures were cited as clear evidence of intent to target Swedish customers.

Recent reports indicate that although Sweden’s regulated gambling market achieves an overall channelisation rate of 85 percent — representing play through licensed operators — a significant portion, especially in online gambling, still occurs via unlicensed platforms. This gap is a concern for regulators who seek to protect players and maintain tax revenues.

Spelinspektionen’s investigations often focus on signs such as Swedish-language content, affiliate marketing in Swedish, and the default selection of Sweden as the country when accessing gambling sites from Swedish IP addresses. These factors indicate deliberate targeting of the Swedish market without authorisation.

The regulator also examines efforts to circumvent blockades and the absence of mechanisms preventing Swedish consumers from registering accounts with unlicensed operators. This proactive scrutiny enables the SGA to impose timely bans and request internet service providers to block access to illegally operating sites.

This enforcement stance arrives as Sweden prepares to revise its Gambling Act to enhance regulatory tools and close loopholes that unlicensed operators exploit. Enhanced legislation is expected to strengthen the authority’s ability to supervise online gambling and protect Swedish players more effectively.

As unlicensed operators face increasing restrictions, the Swedish market is likely to see improved channelisation toward licensed providers. This trend will benefit consumers through better protections and ensure that regulated operators continue contributing to Sweden’s economy and society.