The Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA) has issued an immediate ban against Simba NV, a gambling operator based in Curaçao, after discovering that the company had been offering gambling services to Swedish consumers without the necessary Swedish licence. This decision follows an investigation into several websites operated by Simba NV, which were found to be actively targeting Swedish users.

Simba NV’s non-licensed operations in Sweden:

The SGA’s ruling stems from an in-depth investigation that revealed Simba NV was operating various gambling sites, including Betblast.com, Slotmonster.com, and Foxygold.com, all of which were found to be accessible and actively marketed to Swedish players. One of the key issues that led to the regulator’s decision was that these websites automatically defaulted to Sweden as the selected country when accessed from Swedish IP addresses, violating Sweden’s Gambling Act, which requires operators targeting Swedish consumers to hold a valid Swedish gambling licence.

Additionally, the SGA found that Simba NV’s sites were heavily promoted via Swedish-language affiliate marketing channels. Notably, one of the sites, Foxygold.com, was advertised by a Swedish-speaking content creator on Twitch, further emphasizing the company’s targeting of the Swedish market without proper authorization.

The Swedish Gambling Act mandates that all operators offering gambling services to Swedish users must obtain a licence from the SGA to ensure consumer protection and maintain the integrity of the Swedish gambling market. Simba NV, which holds a licence issued in Curaçao, does not possess a Swedish licence, leading to the SGA’s intervention.

The regulator’s investigation also uncovered that Simba NV was running at least 15 websites in total, including other domains such as Wreckbet.com, Thehighroller.com, Puppybet.com, Klikkikasino.com, and Slotit.com. These sites were similarly found to be targeting Swedish consumers, with the same practices of preselecting Sweden as the default country when accessed from Swedish IP addresses.

Spelinspektionen, Sweden’s regulatory body, emphasized that the immediate ban was necessary for consumer protection and to preserve the integrity of the licensed gambling market in Sweden. The SGA has long held that it will take action against any operator found to be violating Swedish regulations and offering unlicensed gambling services within the country.

Despite the opportunity to respond, Simba NV did not provide any comments or appeal the decision before it was finalised. The operator still has the right to appeal the ruling through the appropriate legal channels, although the swift action by the Swedish Gambling Authority underscores the seriousness with which Sweden is approaching the enforcement of its gambling regulations.

The regulator expressed concerns that Simba NV was actively bypassing the regulations intended to protect Swedish users from unlicensed gambling services. The investigation also revealed that marketing for Slotmonster.com continued as recently as June 9, 2025, with advertising appearing on Swedish-language websites, demonstrating ongoing attempts to engage Swedish consumers despite the lack of a proper license.

Impact on the Swedish gambling market:

This decision is a critical step for the Swedish Gambling Authority in its efforts to enforce compliance within the online gambling industry. The authority’s commitment to protecting consumers from unlicensed gambling operators ensures that only licensed entities can offer services in Sweden, fostering a safer environment for players.

Simba NV’s ban serves as a stark reminder of the importance of regulatory compliance in the gambling industry. The SGA’s proactive stance on monitoring and penalising operators that flout Swedish regulations will likely discourage other operators from attempting to bypass licensing requirements.

The decision also highlights the evolving landscape of online gambling, where international operators must navigate the complex regulatory environments of various markets. As more countries tighten their gambling regulations, compliance with local licensing requirements will become increasingly essential for operators looking to engage with global audiences.