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Sweden’s ombudsman raised concerns about how a self-exclusion request was processed after Spelinspektionen delayed a manual suspension for more than a month.
Sweden’s national ombudsman upheld a complaint against Spelinspektionen after finding shortcomings in how the regulator handled a gambling self-exclusion request in 2024. The case centred on a player who attempted to register a suspension without electronic identification, which led to a processing delay of around one month. The watchdog said the regulator did not provide sufficient information about why the request took so long to complete.
Manual suspensions expose gaps in the original Spelpaus model
The regulator initially lacked systems to process exclusions without e-ID verification.
The complaint highlighted that the Spelpaus self-exclusion system was originally built on the assumption that electronic identification would always be used. This meant the regulator did not have procedures in place to manually process suspensions, leaving individuals without e-ID facing a slower and more complex route to registration.
Throughout the summer of 2024, Spelinspektionen worked to introduce new procedures to manage requests manually. The ombudsman noted that while these changes eventually enabled non-digital suspensions, the early delays revealed structural weaknesses in the original system design.
Court ruling prompted development of manual exclusion pathway
A 2024 court decision confirmed that no specific method was required for registration.
A court ruling in the spring of 2024 clarified that there were no legal requirements dictating how self-exclusion registration must be completed. This decision led Spelinspektionen to begin developing a manual processing framework capable of supporting individuals without access to e-ID.
The regulator’s updated procedures now allow suspensions through alternative verification methods. The ombudsman said the revisions addressed the original gap but reinforced that communication during the transition period should have been clearer.
SkillOnNet warned over responsible gambling logo omission
A separate case found missing safer gambling tools on a licensed operator’s site.
Spelinspektionen issued a warning to SkillOnNet after discovering that its Prime Casino site did not display required responsible gambling logos. The regulator said the site lacked visible links to tools such as deposit limits and self-exclusion, a breach of Section 17 of the safer gambling regulations and associated guidelines.
Head of department Patrik Gustavsson instructed the operator to place the appropriate logos at the top of the page. The regulator said this placement is essential to ensure players can access mandatory protection tools at all times.
Nixxe BV banned for unlicensed gaming activity
The regulator issued a formal prohibition after identifying unauthorised operations.
Spelinspektionen also took enforcement action against Nixxe BV, issuing a formal ban after concluding the company offered online gaming in Sweden without a licence. The regulator said the activity constituted a breach of national gambling law and confirmed that the operator must stop targeting Swedish players.
The combination of actions reflects a wider compliance focus as Sweden continues to refine its regulatory approach across consumer protection, operator obligations and enforcement standards.
Source: Focus Gaming News
