Zimpler receives caution from Swedish gambling regulator regarding payments to unlicensed operators

Spelinspektionen has warned Zimpler that it could impose a fine of up to €2.2 million if it fails to comply with the order to cease processing payments for unlicensed online gambling operators.

According to Spelinspektionen, Zimpler, authorized by the Swedish finance watchdog, Finansinspektionen, has been violating regulations by allowing transactions through the national banking electronic identification service, BankID, to unlicensed operators. The regulator was alerted to these breaches by an anonymous tip-off.

Furthermore, Spelinspektionen discovered that Zimpler had collaborated closely with unlicensed gambling operators and shared customer data. The regulator’s investigation confirmed that Zimpler’s logo appeared in payment options for unlicensed sites and was mentioned in their terms of use.

Zimpler has been given until July 31 to comply with the regulator’s order or potentially face fines. Although the provider argued that its actions did not promote illegal gambling, it has agreed to sever ties with unlicensed European gaming companies serving Swedish consumers during the current quarter.

In a separate development, Sweden’s Ministry of Finance has recommended a ban on credit card transactions in gambling. The ministry’s 650-page report on consumer protections against risky lending and over-indebtedness proposes extending the ban to cover all forms of gambling. While credit use in gambling is already prohibited under Sweden’s Gambling Act of 2018, exceptions exist for lotteries and soft game operators. Some companies have also circumvented the ban by indirectly accepting credit payments through third-party services, as noted in the report based on findings from the Swedish Gaming Market Investigation.