SkillOnNet Receives Warning from Spelinspektionen
If you’re a regular online baccarat player, there is a good chance that you have come across the operator SkillOnNet. In general, it is a very well-respected gambling operator that is licensed by several regulators, including Sweden’s gambling authority. However, recently Spelinspektionen warned SkillOnNet, after it was found that responsible gaming information was missing from part of its Prime Casino website.
The regulator reviewed the logged-out version of www.primecasino.com and found several responsible gaming icons were not visible to users who had not signed in. These included tools such as links for self-testing gambling behavior, deposit limits, login time settings and self-exclusion.
Under Section 17 of Sweden’s safer gambling regulations and general guidelines (LIFS 2018:2), operators must provide these tools clearly and prominently to every visitor. As Spelinspektionen stated, SkillOnNet had “neglected” its duty to present responsible gaming information to all users, even if those tools were already available once a player logged in.
Head of Department Patrik Gustavsson made the decision to instruct the operator to correct the issue. The regulator told SkillOnNet to add the required logos and place them at the top of the site so they remain visible at all times.
Spelinspektionen stressed to the operator that responsible gambling information is fundamental to protecting players. These options allow individuals to set boundaries and make informed decisions, which Spelinspektionen considers to be vital in preventing gambling harm.
SkillOnNet Accepts Responsibility
SkillOnNet accepted that there was a problem and said that the missing icons were a technical oversight rather than a deliberate failure. The company explained that the responsible gaming tools “had always been present for logged-in users” and that the issue in the logged-out view had already been identified internally before the regulator began its review.
The operator worked quickly to resolve the problem once Spelinspektionen issued its notice. The regulator confirmed that the tools were added and that no further enforcement action would follow.
While a formal reprimand is still a setback, SkillOnNet was not issued a fine or harsher penalty. The regulator noted that the company “generally maintains a solid level of compliance” and acted promptly once the concern was raised.
It was a lucky escape for SkillOnNet as Sweden’s regulator is known for its extremely high standards. Recently, Spelinspektionen banned CGG Entertainment Ltd. from offering gambling to Swedish players after finding that the company had no license. Other operators, such as Bitx Operations and Ryker, have also been banned for similar reasons. Spelinspektionen also recently took further action against Nixxe BV for unlicensed gaming activity, and the company has been banned from targeting Swedish players after breaching national gambling law.
Increased Scrutiny of Sweden’s Gambling Industry
There has been a significantly heightened regulatory focus in Sweden recently, with real concerns about channelization. According to a recent report, 85% of gambling in the country is done through licensed operators, but this leaves 15% taking place on unregulated sites, which is 5% below the Government’s target. Online casino is a particular challenge, with a channelization rate estimated at just 72-82%.
Authorities are continuing their efforts to increase compliance and strengthen oversight. Spelinspektionen’s leadership also changed recently, after Director General Camilla Rosenberg left for another regulatory position.
Spelinspektionen has also come under scrutiny of its own. A separate ruling from Sweden’s national ombudsman recently upheld a complaint about delays in the manual processing of a self-exclusion request. A player without electronic identification waited around a month for their suspension to take effect.
The complaint revealed gaps in the original Spelpaus system, which assumed that everyone would use e-ID verification. Spelinspektionen has since introduced alternative procedures to support those who cannot use digital identification, although communication during the transition period “should have been clearer”, according to the ruling.
A Reminder to Operators
While the mistake may seem very minor, the warning from Spelinspektionen to SkillOnNet sends a very clear message to operators. Even a relatively small technical oversight can result in formal action if it affects the visibility of responsible gambling tools.
