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Svenska Spel wins appeal over $10.47M gambling fine
The Swedish administrative court has overturned a SEK 100 million ($10.47 million) fine against Svenska Spel, originally imposed by the Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA).
Back in 2021, the SGA reviewed Svenska Spel’s top 10 highest-spending players and claimed the company hadn’t done enough to protect them from gambling-related harm. Despite the imposed fine and a formal warning, Svenska Spel disagreed and argued that it met all legal requirements.
On June 2nd, the court agreed with Svenska Spel’s arguments and ruled in their favor. The court highlighted that the penalty had missing points, and, without any specific clarity, it’s not acceptable to hold companies liable for failing to meet unspecified standards.
Svenska Spel’s CEO Fredrik Wastenson welcomed the ruling, saying the company felt the original penalty was unreasonable and highlighted the need for clearer rules around responsible gambling.
While the court acknowledged that some players may have been at risk of excessive gambling, it also noted that Svenska Spel had taken several steps to minimize harm. At this point, the ball is already in the player’s court, and the choice to keep playing is only up to them.
The Swedish Gambling Authority may still appeal to the higher court.
FAQs
Is gambling legal in Sweden?
Gambling is legal in Sweden, but is regulated under strict laws.
What is the legal gambling age in Sweden?
The legal gambling age in Sweden is 18.
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