SGA fines three gaming software program suppliers over black market hyperlinks

The Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA) has issued warnings and penalty charges to a few gaming software program suppliers for breaching licensing necessities by offering content material to unlicensed operators.

Quickspin AB, a Swedish studio owned by Playtech, acquired the heaviest penalty: a SEK650,000 (€58,800) high quality and a proper warning.

The regulator discovered that Quickspin’s titles had been made out there on unlicensed web sites by way of third-party content material companions.

While Quickspin rapidly eliminated the video games and enhanced its compliance procedures, the SGA stated the breach was “serious,” noting that suppliers stay accountable for stopping their software program from reaching the black market.

The high quality was primarily based on Quickspin’s Swedish turnover of SEK10.9m in 2024, which set the authorized most penalty at roughly SEK1.1m, based on the SGA.

Kalamba & EGT Digital

Meanwhile, Kalamba Games acquired a penalty of SEK60,000 (€5,430).

The SGA decided that its video games appeared on restricted web sites regardless of Kalamba making use of geo-blocking.

The firm argued that some distribution occurred by way of companions exterior its management, however the regulator held that licensees are in the end accountable for making certain their content material doesn’t attain banned operators.

Elsewhere, EGT Digital Gaming acquired solely a SEK5,000 (€452) penalty, the minimal allowed by regulation, after its video games have been traced to prohibited websites by way of a world distribution associate.

EGT claimed some disputed titles weren’t provided instantly by the corporate however stemmed from third events utilizing older model parts. Still, the regulator insisted that even oblique provide breaches licensing obligations.

By distinction, Playson was reviewed throughout the identical enforcement sweep however cleared of any wrongdoing.

The SGA harassed that these circumstances kind a part of its broader crackdown on unlicensed playing in Sweden.

Since 2023, software program suppliers have been required to carry a licence, and so they might not present software program to any operator concentrating on the Swedish market with out correct authorisation.

Violations can lead to fines of as much as 10% of turnover, or, in extreme circumstances, licence revocation.

Hacksaw case set precedent

This newest enforcement wave follows a high-profile case involving Hacksaw Studios earlier this yr.

The SGA had initially fined Hacksaw SEK2.6m for supplying video games to unlicensed operators, however the firm appealed.

In March, the Swedish Administrative Court slashed the penalty to only SEK20,000 (€1,795), ruling that the unique quantity was disproportionate given Hacksaw’s restricted Swedish turnover.

The courtroom recognised the agency’s use of geo-blocking and internet crawlers as mitigating measures, although it upheld a proper warning.

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