Spelinspektionen is a gambling authority in Sweden. It has taken decisive action against Versus Odds B.V. for violating Swedish gambling regulations. This is the operator of Fortunepanda.com. The regulator announced the immediate ban on January 2. It underscores the commitment of the regulator to protecting Swedish consumers and maintaining gaming safety.
Suspicions of unlicensed gambling activities targeting Swedish players triggered the investigation into Versus Odds B.V. The inquiry revealed a range of violations, including extensive use of Swedish for terms, policy documents, and FAQ pages on the website. Marketing campaigns also catered directly to Swedish consumers. This further indicates the focus of the operator on this market.
Spelinspektionen highlighted numerous issues in its findings. Under a Curaçao license, Versus Odds B.V. operates. This lacks the authority required for providing gambling services in Sweden. The Fortunepanda.com site didn’t allow Swedish players to access its services. It also failed to block account registrations from the country.
More careful examination revealed that the operator manages numerous websites like Artcasino.io, Hazcasino.com, and Vegazcasino.com. Some of these target Swedish consumers. The regulatory concern was amplified by this extensive network, prompting fast action.
Spelinspektionen attempted to covert test purchase on Fortunepanda.com to cover its suspicions. The gathered evidence was sufficient to prove the site’s illegal operations, despite the test remaining incomplete. Spelinspektionen restricted Versus Odds B.V. from providing gambling services in Sweden based on these findings.
The Swedish Gambling Act mandates that operators get a local license to offer their services legally. The Swedish government aims to channel gambling activities through licensed, responsible operators by enforcing these regulations. This approach does not only ensures consumer safety, but also deters the proliferation of unlicensed platforms.
The decision of Spelinspektionen comes in the middle of the rising concerns about illegal gambling in Sweden.
