for early access to the latest igaming videos!
and get the latest igaming news first!
Two of Sweden’s most controversial public figures, former porn magnate Berth Milton Jr. and entrepreneur Per Holknekt, are embarking on a new and unexpected business venture together: an online casino. The project, named Milton Casino, is set to launch without a Swedish gambling license and will exclusively accept cryptocurrency.
The unlikely partnership, revealed in a report by Svenska Dagbladet, brings together two men who have each experienced dramatic public falls—and now, apparent reinventions. For Berth Milton, this venture comes just months after a monumental turning point in his life: the cancellation of a 25-year-old tax debt that once totaled over half a billion kronor. For Holknekt, it’s a complicated step into the very industry he once vehemently criticized.
“So Unreal”: Milton Returns to Sweden Debt-Free After 25 Years
In January, Berth Milton touched down at Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport after a twelve-hour flight from Bangkok. For the first time in decades, he was a free man in the eyes of the Swedish Tax Agency. His tax debt, a burden that had followed him across borders and years, was statute-barred and officially erased.
“I was in Thailand when my legal representative, Johan Kangas, called me after checking my tax account,” Milton said. “He told me, ‘It’s gone.’ It was so unreal.”
Despite the enormity of the moment, Milton says he didn’t celebrate right away.
“No champagne,” he recalled. “A TV series is being made about me, directed by Jonas Åkerlund. On New Year’s Eve, they told me to celebrate, but I didn’t dare take it for granted then. But now I can.”
Milton, now 69, described living in fear for years, constantly looking over his shoulder in case the Swedish authorities were seeking to serve him with legal documents.
“I didn’t even dare to travel from Stockholm. I flew out of Oslo just to be safe,” he said. “You can’t lie to a bankruptcy judge—Boris Becker did, and he went to prison.”
From Ruin to Reinvention: Per Holknekt’s Return to Gambling
Perhaps even more unexpected than Milton’s financial rebirth is the involvement of Per Holknekt in the casino venture. Once a high-profile entrepreneur and fashion icon, Holknekt’s life took a steep turn when his gambling addiction spiraled out of control. In 2022, he filed a lawsuit against Kindred Group after losing his entire fortune—approximately 26 million kronor—on their platform, Unibet. He alleged that the company was aware of his addiction and continued to allow him to gamble. The court ruled in Kindred’s favor, leaving Holknekt not only without compensation but also liable for 2 million kronor in legal fees. Bankruptcy followed.
“I have a dark past with sports betting in particular,” Holknekt told SvD. “So for now, we’ll wait with adding that category.”
Once a fierce critic of the gambling industry, Holknekt is now helping to create what he calls a more responsible and sustainable online casino.
No Swedish License, Crypto-Only Payments
One of the most striking elements of Milton Casino is its deliberate avoidance of Sweden’s regulated gambling market. The casino will not seek a Swedish license, which means it cannot operate in Swedish kronor or provide a Swedish-language version of its platform. Payments will be accepted only in cryptocurrency.
Holknekt argues this move is about safety and responsibility, not evasion.
“Crypto makes it harder for people to gamble with money they actually need to live,” he said. “And we’re raising the minimum age for participation from 18 to 21. That’s actually our biggest and most important measure.”
Without a Swedish license, the operation falls outside the oversight of the Swedish Gambling Authority. However, Holknekt insists that they are not avoiding scrutiny.
“We invite them (Swedish authorities) home every day if they want. We are significantly cleaner than Swedish regulated casinos,” he said.
Milton echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the casino is for those who “like to win but can afford to lose.”
New Life, New Business
The launch of Milton Casino marks a turning point for both men. For Milton, it’s a reentry into public life and legitimate business after years of financial exile. He also hinted at other ventures on the horizon, including selling wine and participating in a television series about his life.
For Holknekt, the project represents both a personal and philosophical shift. It raises eyebrows, certainly—how can someone so publicly critical of gambling join the industry? But Holknekt seems intent on doing things differently this time, even if many remain skeptical.
“We know the risks. We know the damage it can do. That’s exactly why we’re building this the way we are,” he said.
Time will tell whether Milton Casino becomes a success—or just another controversial chapter in the already turbulent lives of its founders. But one thing is clear: neither Berth Milton nor Per Holknekt is planning to quietly fade into the background.
Source: expressen.se
