The Swedish Gaming Inspectorate, Spelinspektionen, imposed a substantial penalty of SEK 4 million (approximately $389,000) on Betfair. Their transgression? Permitting wagers on Swedish U21 youth football matches, a significant violation according to a 2021 statute.
The inquiry, initiated in January 2023, disclosed that from 2021 to 2022, Betfair had provided betting opportunities on a staggering 148 U21 league games. More than 200 Swedish patrons placed bets amounting to SEK 1.1 million on these matches.
Betfair has acknowledged responsibility, attributing the error to a deficient internal procedure. They clarified that manual supervision, intended to detect these types of bets, was unsuccessful, resulting in a gap for the unauthorized gambling.
To avert future errors, Betfair has discontinued all U21 betting choices on its Swedish platforms. They have taken additional measures, prohibiting bets on all Swedish football clubs except those in the highest two tiers.
The UKGC recognized Betfair’s attempts to avert comparable situations, but ultimately deemed a substantial penalty unavoidable.
Although providers can occasionally escape with a minor reprimand, the Commission stressed the gravity and persistence of Betfair’s shortcomings, eliminating any possibility of clemency in this instance.