Videoslots has called for “greater clarity to aid responsible operators like ourselves,” as the group responds to an injunction handed out by the Swedish Gambling Authority.
Acknowledging the injunction, and potential fine for non-compliance, that was issued by the Spelinspektionen, the online casino operator asserts that it is “pleased that it confirms compliant implementation of the bonus, deposit and time limits put in place”.
However, the group calls the regulations “unreasonable and unjustifiable,” and maintains that “they are also completely counterproductive to their declared aim of player protection and push players into the arms of illegal operators”.
The penalty issued by the Spelinspektionen was due to perceived breaches of regulations that were introduced in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The regulator, which said in its assessment that the violation “is not to be regarded as serious, but neither as minor nor excusable,” found that players were able to circumvent a mandatory deposit limit by cancelling withdrawals from their gaming accounts.
This, says the Spelinspektionen, means that players were able to deposit more than the maximum permitted amount of SEK 5,000 per week on commercial online games.
A spokesperson for Videoslots said in full: “Videoslots notes the decision made by the Swedish regulator and is pleased that it confirms compliant implementation of the bonus, deposit and time limits put in place by the Swedish government to counter a perceived increase of risks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“According to the decision, these regulations also prohibit the withdrawal-related functionality which remained in question. We will comply and remove this functionality, having already offered to do so during the assessment.
“We do not, however, believe that we were in breach of the COVID-19, or any other regulations, and call for greater clarity to aid responsible operators like ourselves. Furthermore, we maintain our position that these regulations are both unreasonable and unjustifiable.
“Not only are they contradicted by facts and damaging to licensed operators, they are also completely counterproductive to their declared aim of player protection and push players into the arms of illegal operators. We will therefore continue to challenge these regulations.”