Sweden Grants First Three B2B Gaming Supplier Licenses Ahead of July 1 Deadline

Summary

• The first three licenses were granted to Synot Games, Norrköping AB, and Skill on Net
• Spelinspektionen said it has received 60 applications so far since March 1
• The B2B license requirement is part of Sweden’s new licensing regime

Swedish gaming regulator Spelinspektionen has confirmed that it has already begun granting supplier licenses following the opening of the application process on March 1. Three B2B gaming supplier licenses have been issued so far, and that number is expected to significantly increase by the July 1 deadline.

New Supplier License Aims to Combat Illegal Gambling

In November 2022, the Swedish government put forward a proposal to introduce licenses for B2B suppliers. It will come as a new requirement for online gambling suppliers looking to do business with licensed gambling operators in Sweden. It is aimed at boosting channelization and curbing illegal gambling in the country.

The Swedish gambling industry welcomed the new requirement but noted that the regulator’s expectations as to the impact of the B2B licenses in fighting illegal gambling may be too high.

The new rules are contained in the Enhanced Game Regulation Bill (Swedish) which has yet to pass the Swedish parliament. Spelinspektionen decided to start accepting applications so that suppliers get their licenses by July 1 when the new requirement comes into effect. From that date, gambling operators in Sweden will no longer be allowed to use the services of unlicensed gaming suppliers.

According to Spelinspektionen, it has received a total of 60 applications thus far, and the first three licenses have been issued to Synot Games, Norrköping AB and Skill on Net.

The Swedish government previously indicated that around 70 software licenses could be issued before the launch of the new licensing regime, which is quite close to the 60 that have already submitted their applications to the gambling regulator. The licenses will be valid for five years.

The government stated that the new B2B license requirement would not have any significant impact on the licensee’s working conditions or competitiveness, saying the new rules should only have a “marginal effect” on competition.

Earlier this month, the Swedish government released further details regarding the B2B supplier licenses and also announced an increase in license renewal fees for European online operators.

B2B License Application Fee Set at SEK120,000

Under the new rules, B2B suppliers are required to pay a license application fee of SEK120,000 while the license renewal fees for online operators would double from SEK300,000 to SEK600,000. The government said that the new fee is “relatively low” considering the overall size of the Swedish online gaming market.