The Swedish Gambling Authority, Spelinspektionen, has issued a prohibition to Versus Odds BV, banning the operator from providing gambling services in Sweden without a valid license.
The decision took immediate effect following an inspection of the operator's website, fortunepanda.com.
The investigation revealed that the website contains Swedish terms, policy documents, FAQs, and promotional materials. It also noted that Swedish consumers could register and create accounts, indicating that the platform targets Swedish users.
Versus Odds BV, headquartered in Curaçao, operates multiple gambling websites, including fortunepanda6.com, artcasino.io, and bet-nox.com.
According to Chapter 3, Section 3 of the Swedish Gambling Act (2018:1138), operators must obtain a license to offer gambling services within the country. Spelinspektionen's decision is based on evidence that Versus Odds BV failed to comply with these regulations, which aim to protect consumers and promote responsible gambling behavior.
It is noteworthy that although the company had the opportunity to respond to the investigation findings, it did not provide comments to Spelinspektionen before the implementation of the ban.
This prohibition aligns with Spelinspektionen's strategy to combat unlicensed gambling and guide players towards licensed operators. Previously, Spelinspektionen had taken action against other operators, including Cosmogames, which was banned in December 2024 for similar violations.
In recent months, the Swedish Gambling Authority has intensified its enforcement efforts. In December 2024, the agency imposed sanctions on four licensed operators (Snabbare, Hajper, ComeOn Sweden, and Casinostugan) for offering unauthorized bonuses, with fines totaling 59 million Swedish Kronor (approximately 6 million USD).
Additionally, Spelinspektionen launched the "Unnecessary Stimulus" campaign to educate consumers about the risks of unlicensed gambling. The campaign emphasizes the importance of using licensed operators to ensure player protection and compliance with Swedish regulations.
