It's Official: The First Three Licenses Were Issued to Operators in Sweden
Published March 29, 2023 by Brett C
Sweden's Spelinspektionen has granted the first three licences for gaming software, with SkillOnNet and Synot Games being among the three companies awarded accreditation. The move follows a proposal presented by the Ministry of Finance in January 2022 to make it mandatory for suppliers operating within Sweden to obtain a gaming software licence. With this development, customers can be assured of playing legally sanctioned games whilst safeguarding themselves from fraudulent & criminal activity.
The Riksdag introduced gaming software licensing in Sweden last November to discourage illegal gambling. This month marks a milestone as the first three licences have now been granted by the Swedish regulator, Spelinspektionen, which will come into effect on July 1st. These gaming licenses will be valid for five years. After that, all operators wanting to conduct business activities in Sweden must be licensed.
SkillOnNet & Synot Games were awarded accreditation, having responded to applications that opened in March this year. The move follows a proposal presented by the Ministry of Finance back in January 2022 to make it mandatory for suppliers operating within Sweden to obtain a gaming software licence.
With this development, online casino players can be confident about participating in legally sanctioned games while protecting themselves from fraudulent or criminal activity linked with unregulated websites or operators.
Spelinspektionen has received 60 applications since opening the submission process on March 1st 2023, despite the enabling legislation for this, the Enhanced Game Regulation bill, still being in the committee stage of passing through the Riksdag - Sweden's parliament.
At the end of November 2022, the legislature introduced licensing requirements for suppliers to boost channelisation initiatives and reduce illegal gambling activity across Sweden.
New Licensing Operations Going into Effect Soon
Once the new regulatory regime is effective, operators will be barred from working with suppliers that provide, install or alter gaming software for illegal offerings. Newly regulated operators include Norrköping AB and two other providers - Skill on Net, a casino platform provider and Synot Games, a gaming supplier.
Under the rules of licensing, an application fee of SEK120,000 must be paid by all suppliers seeking accreditation.
Last March (2022) saw the Swedish government anticipate roughly 70 software licences would be issued before launch - this has been per Spelinspektionen's count of 60 applicants to date.
The Swedish government has predicted that the introduction of gaming software licences will have only a "marginal effect" on the competition. This was stated in the proposal, which suggested that no other significant effects would be felt by licensees or their working conditions, competitiveness or general conditions.
About Spelinspektionen
The Swedish Gambling Authority is the governing body that oversees the legality, safety, and reliability of the Swedish gambling and gaming market. Their mission is to provide consumers with a fair gaming experience by maintaining an open and balanced market while reducing any potential social harm associated with gambling.
The Authority can be reached by e-mail at registrator@spelinspektionen.se or their telephone line at +46 (0)152-650 100. Additionally, they have offices located at Finningevägen 54 B in Strängnäs, where visitors are welcome, as well as a post office box at P.O.Box 199 645 23 Strängnäs should you wish to send mail directly to them.
As of 2022, gross gaming revenue was SEK 27 353 million while per inhabitant over 18 years was SEK 3 281, amounting to 1% of disposable income for citizens in Sweden.
