Swedish gambling authority bans Satoshi Gaming over unlicenced operations
Sweden’s gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen, has officially banned Satoshi Gaming Group NV from operating in the country after uncovering that the company was offering gambling services without the necessary Swedish licence. The decision follows a broader push by Swedish authorities to clamp down on unlicensed gaming and improve regulatory oversight in the online gambling space.
Crypto operator found operating without licence
Satoshi Gaming Group NV, a developer of crypto-based casino and sportsbook products, has been permanently excluded from Sweden’s gambling market. Spelinspektionen launched an investigation after identifying signs of the operator’s activity within Swedish territory. The group had not applied for or obtained any form of Swedish gaming licence, as required under national gambling laws.
The regulator concluded that the company had knowingly targeted Swedish players without authorisation. As a result, it has now issued a market ban that prevents the operator from accessing or servicing customers in Sweden.
Gambling regulator responds to unlicensed gambling concerns
The move comes during a busy period for Spelinspektionen, which has dealt with multiple concerns around unlicensed activity during the first quarter of 2025. In February, the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS) submitted a formal request to the Ministry of Finance to amend the national Gambling Act.
BOS highlighted a legal loophole that allowed offshore gambling operators to bypass Swedish regulation while still targeting local players. The group urged the government to introduce reforms to close the gap and protect Sweden’s licensed gambling ecosystem.
Unlicensed market continues to thrive
A report published in March by AB Trav och Galopp (ATG) added further pressure on regulators. The report pointed to the ongoing presence and growth of unlicensed gambling websites accessible from Sweden. ATG called for stronger enforcement measures to combat the black market and limit access to operators not licensed by Spelinspektionen.
This report echoed the concerns raised by BOS, reinforcing the view that existing regulations were not sufficient to control unauthorised gambling platforms.
Government moves to address legal loopholes
Spelinspektionen, in April published a new report responding to the BOS proposal. The document outlined the regulator’s plans to strengthen market controls and highlighted the size and availability of the black market in Sweden. It also confirmed that the agency is working on proposals to close the legal loophole identified earlier in the year.
The goal is to make it harder for unlicensed operators to target Swedish consumers while reinforcing support for licensed platforms that comply with the Gambling Act.
EU regulators share focus on enforcement
At the recent CMS gambling conference in London, industry leaders from across Europe shared similar concerns. The event featured speakers including Grainne Hurst, CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), and Sarah Gardner, Deputy CEO of the UK Gambling Commission. Discussions focused on tackling illegal gambling and improving compliance in regulated markets.
