Swedish gambling regulator appeals against Zimpler injunction annulment
14 June 2024 - 18:30The Administrative Court in Linköping has overturned its previous decision against the payment provider Zimpler AB, prompting the Swedish gambling regulator Spelinspektionen to file an appeal.
Spelinspektionen, the Swedish gambling authority, is challenging the Administrative Court in Linköping's decision to revoke an injunction against Zimpler AB.
Back in July 2023, the regulator had issued a warning to Zimpler, stating that the company could incur a fine of up to SEK25m (€2.2m) if it continued to collaborate with unlicensed gambling operators. While Zimpler claims to have stopped working with these operators, it appealed the injunction, and the court ruled in its favor last month.
Absence of Legal Precedent
The administrative court found that Spelinspektionen lacked the legal basis for its injunction. Nonetheless, the regulator contends that Zimpler, by providing its payment services to unlicensed operators, was facilitating illegal gambling activities.
According to Spelinspektionen, the use of Zimpler and BankID, a system unique to Sweden, allowed illegal gambling sites not only to be accessible to Swedish users but also to appear tailored for the Swedish market. Arguing that the case lacks legal precedent, the regulator seeks a higher court's review.
Spelinspektionen stated: "For effective law enforcement, it is crucial that a higher court examines this appeal due to the absence of legal precedent regarding when gambling companies are considered to target Sweden and the extent of the promotion ban."
The regulator also emphasized: "The relevance of whether Zimpler’s payment service explicitly targeted gambling companies is negligible."