As of January 2019, Sweden opened its online gambling market for international operators, and many of them set eyes on the lucrative sector. However, the Swedish market liberalisation came with strict regulations and hefty fines for violators. Betway and Mandalorian Technologies were the most recent international operators that felt the long arm of the law.

The Swedish gambling regulator Spelinspektionen announced that Betway and Mandalorian Technologies have breached country’s bonus offers regulations. As a result, Betway was levied a SEK 5mln. (approx £408k) fine. Mandalorian Technologies, that operates the No Account Casino and Prank Casino domains, was slapped with SEK 9 mln (approx £738k).

In Sweden, any form of a discount and any form of additional money given to a customer is considered a bonus. Under current law, Swedish players are eligible for claiming only a welcome bonus offer. However, Betway and Mandalorian offered bonuses to existing customers as well.

The Swedish gambling watchdog issued a statement on the matter and said that the reason for the bonus limitations is authorities’ aim to protect consumers, reduce economic damages and social impact gambling may have on them. Spelinspektionen officials also confirmed that they would closely monitor the services online casino licensees provide on the territory of Sweden.

Earlier this year, Spelinspektionen issued a warning to all licensees advising them to comply with the bonus offers regulations. The regulator noticed some sort of compliance, but considered the warning letters an insufficient measure for achieving “full compliance”.