Unlicensed gambling operators exploiting recognized platform providers, as asserted by ATG
Rewritten Article:
Sweden's state-owned gambling giant, ATG, has raised a red flag over the growing number of unauthorized gambling sites operating within the countryThree-fourths of these rogue sites use gambling software that is licensed in SwedenATG has also criticized the channelization rate in Q4, stating it's far from the 90% mark set by the government.
17 out of 20 Offshore Sites Use Swedish-Licensed Software
ATG, Sweden's prominent gambling operator, has revealed that an alarming 17 out of 20 popular gambling sites operating within the country use gambling software that is licensed in Sweden. The agency is concerned as such practices undermine the new regulatory structure implemented to prevent such activities.
The report also delves into the country's channelization — a metric that estimates whether a market, post-legalization, achieves its primary goal, which is to provide players with a secure and responsible gambling environment.
According to ATG, Sweden's channelization rate in Q4 is anywhere between 69% and 82%, a significant departure from the 90% target the regulator and government aim to achieve. Interestingly, the 69% figure cited by ATG might be a tad overly pessimistic, with previous reports suggesting the rate of channelization closer to 82% or higher.
However, it's worth noting that the channelization rate may vary depending on the type of gaming vertical. In the previous ATG report covering Q3, the company reported that the casino channelization rate hovered between 59% and 74%, but it proved much better for sports betting — around 79% to 88%, which is already on track to achieve the target. It's interesting to see that the channelization isn't an issue limited to Sweden, as other jurisdictions like Germany and the Netherlands are also grappling with the same concerns.
ATG's Crusade Against Illicit Gambling
The report issued by ATG identified several unlicensed operators, naming Lucky Jungle dot com and Unlimit Casino dot com as two notable offenders.
The data collected for these websites indicates that Lucky Jungle received 147,284 visits during Q4, while Unlimited Casino recorded 113,002 visits during the survey period.
ATG's CEO, Hasse Lord Skarplöth, filed a strong critique against the plethora of illicit gambling websites operating within the country and securing an "unreasonably" large share of the market. Skarplöth expressed that the operator will work relentlessly in collaboration with the Swedish Gambling Authority to eliminate the illegal gambling sector altogether and insist on channeling the market through the regulated sector.
Interestingly, the report also brought to light that several unlicensed casinos utilized BankID, a popular Swedish payment method favored by the regulated sector, to offer direct services to Swedish players. 6 identified websites were found to practice this unusual strategy.
In recent years, Sweden's regulatory framework has become more stringent, with the Swedish Gambling Authority cracking down on unauthorized operators targeting Swedish consumers and imposing hefty fines. A high-profile case involved the immediate ban of Satoshi Gaming Group, a Curaçao-based operator running the Trustdice.win platform, despite their lack of a Swedish license, blatant violation of national gambling laws, and continued attempts to circumvent restrictions.
It appears that Sweden is determined to maintain a safe and responsible gambling environment that safeguards its consumers and licensed operators alike. The implementation of regulatory measures and licensing reforms is expected to provide clarity and transparency to the market, ultimately discouraging unlicensed operators and driving growth toward the regulated sector.
- ATG, the Swedish gambling operator, discovered that 17 out of 20 popular gambling sites in Sweden use gambling software that is licensed in the country, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the new regulatory structure.
- The report from ATG also highlighted the country's channelization rate in Q4, which is significantly lower than the 90% target set by the government, ranging between 69% and 82%.
- The report named Lucky Jungle dot com and Unlimit Casino dot com as two unlicensed operators that received a large number of visits during Q4, with Lucky Jungle having 147,284 visits and Unlimit Casino recording 113,002 visits.
- Hasse Lord Skarplöth, the CEO of ATG, criticized the proliferation of illicit gambling websites in Sweden and promised collaboration with the Swedish Gambling Authority to eliminate the illegal gambling sector and channel the market through the regulated sector.
- Several unlicensed casinos in Sweden were found to use BankID, a popular Swedish payment method, to provide services directly to Swedish players, further complicating the issue of unlicensed gambling activities within the country.
