ATG Finds that Most Illegal Sites in Sweden Operate on Licensed Platforms

Aktiebolaget Trav och Galopp (ATG) has just released a report regarding illegal gambling activities in Sweden. It focuses on Q4 of 2024 and highlights the traffic to unlicensed sites in the country. Its findings are surprising and way below the government's target set in 2019. The authorities expected more than 90% of gambling to be legal by 2025, and the figures range between 69% and 82%. They are only slightly better than those posted for the year's third quarter.

Channelization for Sports Dwarfs Online Casinos

The ATG-led report indicates that unlicensed website traffic has increased 10 times since 2019 in Sweden. Their findings include data for sports and online casinos, with the latter having lower channelization for the same period. The organization monitors the market and releases its latest quarterly numbers, making the figures relevant.

Some of the most interesting revelations were regarding unlicensed gambling sites using the same platform providers as legitimate ones. This is a big concern because the law expressly prohibits such practice. Some of these websites will allow players to transfer money to and from their online accounts to a Swedish bank. Players can instantly access the funds in their bank accounts through the digital identification system called BankID.

Unlicensed gambling sites in Sweden are thriving, using the same licensed platforms as legal operators — a growing concern for regulators.

ATG also found two such casinos on Spelinspektionen's banned list of unlicensed operators. There is no shortage of players seeking the services of these casinos nationwide. Luckyjungle and Unlimitcasino were two examples highlighted by the organization when citing unlicensed operators in Sweden. They both enjoyed a meteoric rise, with hundreds of thousands visiting the platform.

Unreasonable Channelization Rate Concerns

ATG CEO Hasse Lord Skarplöth expressed frustration that so many unlicensed casinos continue to thrive in Sweden. The organization he represents is determined to continue the battle against unlicensed platforms. Numerous concerns exist regarding these casinos, which foster money laundering and fraud without protecting Swedish players from threats.

ATG pledged to continue its work and monitor unlicensed gaming companies active in Sweden. The goal is for licensed operators to gain a monopoly nationwide and provide lawful gambling services. These reports serve to inform the public while making lawmakers aware of the magnitude of the problem.

Gustaf Hoffstedt, secretary general for the Swedish gambling trade body BOS, highlighted the magnitude of the problem. He isn't convinced that government intervention is enough to improve the channelization rate in Sweden. He blasted the Gambling Act review as a repressive measure that doesn't solve the underlying cause.