Betway considering appeal over SEK100,000 fine

Betway is still considering an appeal against a SEK100,000 (£8,114.50) fine from the Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA) for offering repeated bonuses.

The operator is contemplating an appeal to the fine handed out in December 2021 for breaches as part of Betway’s 200% match bonus campaign.

The initial campaign was only intended to reach a small portion of the bookmaker’s customer base, but due to an error, was incorrectly made available to all Betway customers.

A total of 53 bonuses were credited to 52 players on 10 June between 11am and 14:30pm, with an undisclosed number receiving repeated bonuses.

Under Swedish igaming and sports betting laws, licensed operators can only offer players a welcome bonus when they first register, but all subsequent bonuses are prohibited, something which aims to prevent gambling-related harm amongst players.

At the time, Betway disclosed to the SGA that customers concerned were not negatively affected financially and all affected individuals were made aware via email that an error had occurred.

The company notified the SGA of the error on 18 June, ceasing all marketing communications to customers.

EGR understands that Betway have until mid-June to lodge an appeal and that no official decision has officially been taken.

Reports from the SGA claim the company’s appeal was rejected by the Administrative Court in Linköping in southern Sweden on 10 May.

The court said: “There is also no reason to refrain from charging a sanction fee in connection with this remark and the fee decided by the SGA.

“In the light of the circumstances of the case, [the fine] does not appear to be disproportionate or too high. The appeal must therefore be dismissed.”