Swedish gambling regulator the Spelinspektionen has issued further warnings and penalty fees in relation to bonus rules violations, with NGG Nordic, an operational subsidiary in the Betsson Group, and SkillOnNet the latest to fall foul.
Taking its total number of penalties for such violations to seven different organisations, the authority found that the licence holders have violated legislation by offering their customers bonuses on repeated occasions.
Stressing that breaches were deemed as serious, NGG Nordic received a warning and a SEK 19m (£1.6m) penalty fee, with SkillOnNet also hit with a warning as well as an accompanying SEK 14m (£1.1m) penalty.
During its NGG Nordic review, the Spelinspektionen details that offers of bonuses were discovered in the form of weekly surprises, cash prize draws, travel and free spins, bonuses, rewards and free games to loyal players.
Having such offers available for up to four months into the new gaming law, the company was also found to organise lotteries online, something that is not covered by its licence
During the regulators look into SkillOnNet, it was found that offers of various types of bonuses in the form of daily bonuses, monthly rewards, free spins, cashback and VIP packages were available, with lotteries organised online also not covered by the firm’s licence.
In its media statement, the Spelinspektionen noted: “The main purpose of the new gambling regulation is to strengthen consumer protection and reduce the negative effects of gambling. The limitation on bonuses is contained in the law to reduce social and economic damages and problem gambling.”
NGG Nordic Ltd provides games on the website nordicbet.com/en, with SkillOnNet’s offering encapsulating 22 portals such as DrueckGlueck and PlayOJO.
Furthermore, the Spelinspektionen also conducted a review into Multi Brand Gaming, after finding that its website contained information regarding betting on lotteries that another Swedish licence holder is licensed for.
The company was also found to have not been sufficiently clear with information that they do not offer their customers actual lotteries, but in betting on the outcome of lotteries, with a correction duly issued to comply with licence requirements.
