iGaming Industry News
Sweden’s Gambling Commission takes positive action against unlicenced gambling as Hacksaw Gaming handed penalty fees in Sweden. Hacksaw Gaming has been fined SEK2.6 million (£192,741) for regulatory breaches.
“It is the licensee’s responsibility to ensure that gaming software is not provided to players without the necessary license, regardless of whether an agreement has been signed with another party,” Spelinspektionen stated.
The Swedish gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen, issued official warnings and penalties to both Hacksaw Gaming and Panda Bluemoon for providing online gambling content to unlicensed websites.
In January, Spelinspektionen identified that Hacksaw Gaming was supplying content to two unlicensed, unnamed gambling sites. This was despite the regulator reminding providers of their responsibilities in October 2023.
In response, Hacksaw Gaming stated it has implemented measures to prevent access to its games in Sweden. These measures include geo-blocking, which ensures users attempting to play its games on prohibited sites receive a message indicating they cannot play in Sweden.
Hacksaw also contended that developers should not be held accountable for their games being accessible in regions where the operator lacks the necessary license. The company emphasized that it does not intentionally develop games to target Sweden without the appropriate license, arguing that the operators offering the games should be held responsible.
However, Spelinspektionen assessed that since the games were accessible in Sweden, the measures implemented by Hacksaw were deemed “inadequate.” The regulator also refuted the claim that operators should bear the responsibility for such breaches.
“It is the licensee’s responsibility to ensure that gaming software is not provided to players without the necessary license, regardless of whether an agreement has been signed with another party,” Spelinspektionen stated.
Although Spelinspektionen acknowledged that Hacksaw has made changes to prevent similar issues in the future, it concluded that the breach justified a penalty and a warning.
Game Developer
Hacksaw Gaming games are a high-end treat for the senses, both visually and aurally, with video slot games that come with top-level fixed prizes attached. Although Hacksaw Games are best known for their famous cartoon-style games, they also provide a classic selection of epically graphic horror fantasy games such as the brilliant Bloodthirst and the seriously spooky Rotten.
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