Sweden Fines Casinos for Failing to Curb Problem Gambling
Summary of Key Points
The Swedish Gambling Authority, Spelinspektionen, has imposed heavy fines on Roar Vegas and Glitnor Services. Both operators allegedly failed to meet their due diligence obligations by not intervening in excessive gambling in a timely manner. Roar Vegas was fined 8 million SEK (approximately 795,000 USD), while Glitnor Services received an even higher fine of 2.7 million USD. Both companies have appealed the penalties.
Roar Vegas: Delayed Actions Against Problem Gambling
Spelinspektionen found during a review that Roar Vegas did not act quickly enough against problematic gambling behavior in three customers. Two of the affected players were aged between 18 and 24, an age group considered particularly vulnerable. Despite later implementing effective measures, the authority ruled that earlier intervention was necessary. As a result, it imposed both a fine and a public reprimand.
Roar Vegas disputed the decision, arguing that the measures taken ultimately stopped excessive gambling. The operator also criticized the unclear regulations regarding the timing of stricter interventions. The authority countered that there were clear signs of problematic gambling behavior, including frequent logins, long gaming sessions, and high losses. These indicators should have prompted quicker action.
Since the investigation, Roar Vegas has introduced additional protective measures, including deposit limit warnings, improved monitoring policies, and stricter loss and betting limits. However, the fine remains in place.
Glitnor Services: Serious Violations of Due Diligence
Glitnor Services faced even harsher penalties. The Swedish regulator imposed a fine of 2.7 million USD along with an official warning. A review found that 10 out of 12 examined players showed signs of excessive gambling. One player was active for 11 consecutive hours, while three customers collectively deposited 218,831 USD within a month. Despite these warning signs, Glitnor Services’ measures, such as customer notifications, had no noticeable effect.
Glitnor Services also contested the fine. The company argued that current legislation does not mandate stricter measures beyond those already implemented. Furthermore, a reduction in gambling activity should be sufficient proof of compliance. Spelinspektionen responded by stating that operators are required under Chapter 14, Section 1 of the Swedish Gambling Act to take appropriate measures to prevent excessive gambling. These include temporary suspensions or restrictions on player accounts.
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Strict Regulation in Sweden
These fines highlight Sweden’s stringent regulation of the gambling market. Spelinspektionen recently announced that gambling revenues in 2024 increased by 2.65% to 27.85 billion SEK. This growth underscores the importance of effective consumer protection measures to prevent problematic gambling behavior.
Our Assessment
The decisions of the Swedish Gambling Authority emphasize the growing importance of player protection. Operators must ensure they respond to problematic gambling behavior at an early stage. The cases of Roar Vegas and Glitnor Services demonstrate that inadequate measures can lead to severe penalties. Those operating in regulated markets should establish clear internal guidelines for early detection and intervention to avoid sanctions.
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