SGA Enforces Ban Against Simba NV for Sweden License Violations

The Swedish Gambling Regulator, Spelinspektionen (SGA), has enforced an immediate prohibition against Curacao-based operator Simba NV following confirmed violations of national licensing requirements. The action comes after Simba NV was exposed for operating multiple illegal gambling platforms, which were actively promoted to and accessible by Swedish players.

Under the Swedish Gambling Act, targeted operations without a local license are considered illegal. The regulator’s investigation established that the operator used its Curacao license to circumvent Sweden’s licensing framework to deliberately service the regulated market.

Illegal Market Targeting

SGA established that Simba NV’s websites automatically detected Swedish IP addresses and preset Sweden as the user’s country without consent, a breach of national gambling regulations. This tactic was compounded by promotional campaigns in the Swedish language across affiliate networks, including a popular Twitch streamer endorsing Foxygold.com to their Swedish audience.

Investigators confirmed the operation extended to at least 15 domains, including Wrechbet.com, Puppybet.com, and Thehighroller.com. Each site replicated the same infringing protocol that actively enticed consumers through tailored marketing.

Investigators documented ongoing regulatory evasion by Simba NV as recently as June 9, 2025. The operator ran Swedish-language promotions for Slotmonster.com, ads that targeted Swedish players mere hours before the prohibition. This exposed its persistent efforts to exploit local consumers despite lacking legal authorization.

Upholding Regulatory Mandates

SGA has affirmed its ban on Simba NV as a necessary defense of player safeguards and Sweden’s gambling framework. The regulator reiterated its lack of tolerance towards operators circumventing national regulations, underscoring that such enforcement preserves market fairness.

Simba NV declined to contest the allegations during the review period despite having formal appeal rights through Sweden’s administrative courts. The authority’s rapid action signals heightened vigilance against unlicensed operators.

Intensified Reforms

SGA’s ban against Simba NV winds up a quarter of intensified regulatory scrutiny. The authority oversaw multiple interventions earlier this year, starting with a formal request by the Swedish Trade Association Online Gambling (BOS) urging the Ministry of Finance to amend the Gambling Act. BOS underscored a statutory loophole enabling unlicensed operators to target Swedish players, reinforced by the ATG’s findings of thriving illegal betting activity.

Responding to these concerns, SGA published a comprehensive report in April pledging to address the loophole while exposing Sweden’s gambling black market scale. The Simba NV ban now stands as a significant enforcement milestone, demonstrating the regulator’s capacity to deter lawbreakers.