Sweden’s Gambling Authority, Spelinspektionen, says it stepped up action against the promotion of unlicensed gambling in the second half of 2025, handling nine supervisory cases involving publishers, influencers, and payment intermediaries. Three cases resulted in penalty-backed injunctions; two have been appealed and one was overturned. At the same time, the regulator reviewed 18 unlicensed operators and issued prohibitions in 13 cases, signaling continued enforcement into 2026.
Enforcement focus in H2 2025
According to Spelinspektionen, its oversight focused on two fronts: entities promoting unlicensed gambling, and intermediaries that help facilitate access to it. The cases covered:
- Websites running banner ads and influencers promoting unlicensed gambling
- Payment intermediaries serving operators that lack the required Swedish license
Outcomes varied. Three cases led to injunctions backed by penalty payments; two have been appealed, and one was annulled. The remaining matters were closed without further action after the promotion stopped.
Actions involving publishers and influencers
The appealed cases involve banner advertising for unlicensed gambling on the Swedish websites Synonymer.se and Flashback, Spelinspektionen said. In a separate case, after the authority issued an injunction against an influencer, it notified the video platform Twitch, where the marketing had appeared; the content was subsequently removed.
Separately, in December 2025 a Swedish court sentenced an influencer to two years and nine months in prison for multiple offenses, including gross promotion of unlawful gambling. The judgment has been appealed. Spelinspektionen assisted the investigation as gambling experts, which the authority described as part of its routine support to law enforcement.
Operator prohibitions continue
During the same period, Spelinspektionen examined 18 providers alleged to offer illegal gambling in Sweden. The authority imposed prohibitions in 13 cases and said that curbing illegal gambling remains a priority, with enforcement work continuing in 2026.
Market implications
The actions make clear that liability under Sweden’s gambling rules extends beyond operators to media publishers, influencers and financial intermediaries. For the regulated market, this underscores the need for tighter controls over affiliate traffic, ad inventory and payment flows. The pending appeals concerning banner placements could clarify how Swedish law applies to third-party advertising on domestically operated websites.
In summary, Spelinspektionen’s H2 2025 activity included nine cases against the promotion of unlicensed gambling and reviews of 18 alleged illegal operators, resulting in three injunctions (two under appeal, one overturned) and 13 operator prohibitions. Platform takedowns and a criminal conviction involving an influencer underscore a multi-channel approach to enforcement that the authority says will continue into 2026.