According to the regulator, Aftonbladet advertised fantasy sports events called “manager competitions” from 1 January 2020 to 1 June 2021.
Participants could form a fictional team and have the chance to win prizes like iPhones and travel gift cards.
However, the regulator initiated an investigation because some prizes, especially gift cards, could be deemed as a financial gain.
As a result, the regulator considered the game to be gambling under Sweden’s Gambling Act since Aftonbladet does not have a gambling license.
To join these competitions, readers were required to have an Aftonbladet Plus subscription, which costs SEK79 (£6.32/€7.58/$8.33).
Aftonbladet argued that participation did not necessitate any payment, and therefore, they did not need a gaming license.
However, Spelinspektionen disagreed, pointing out that the Aftonbladet Plus subscription comes with a cost.
According to Chapter 3, section 4 of the Gambling Act, games that require no entry fee do not require a license.
During the investigation, Aftonbladet ceased offering prizes with financial value, ensuring compliance with the Gaming Act.
Consequently, Spelinspektionen did not impose any penalties since Aftonbladet no longer violated the Gaming Act.
On 21 March, Bayton Limited agreed to pay SEK35,000 to Spelinspektionen for failing to report a change in its board of directors.
