Black Market Traced to Curaçao, Anjouan, and Skin Betting

Sweden’s gambling watchdog has uncovered where the country’s black market bets are really going. A deep-dive investigation by Spelinspektionen reveals that two offshore jurisdictions dominate unlicensed activity. Understanding this threat is key as Sweden aims to safeguard its regulated market and clamp down on illegal operators. Lawmakers are now being urged to empower the regulator with broader tools to block rogue sites and protect consumers.

Sweden Cracks Down: Curaçao and Anjouan Behind Black Market Gambling Surge

3 Key Points:

1. Curaçao and Anjouan account for nearly half of Sweden’s traffic to unlicensed gambling platforms.
2. Skin betting platforms inside Sweden also contribute significantly to the black market ecosystem.
3. Spelinspektionen is calling for stronger enforcement powers and updates to Sweden’s gambling laws.

Sweden’s gambling authority, Spelinspektionen, has released a landmark report uncovering the true scope and origins of unlicensed gambling targeting Swedish players. The findings paint a clear picture: a significant portion of black market betting originates from offshore jurisdictions, with Curaçao and Anjouan leading the charge.

According to the regulator, an estimated 86% of gambling activity in Sweden is channeled through licensed operators. However, the remaining 14% still poses a serious threat, especially considering how much of that traffic is driven by a small number of determined offshore platforms and skin betting sites.

Spelinspektionen’s report, based on extensive data gathered throughout 2023, indicates that “third countries” generated 45% of all traffic directed toward gambling sites not licensed in Sweden. Breaking that down further, Curaçao accounts for 38% of this segment, while Anjouan represents 5%. These jurisdictions are known for loose regulatory standards and low oversight, which often allow questionable operators to flourish.

Notably, the report also highlighted the rise of skin betting within Sweden. These platforms — often associated with esports and video games — accounted for 41% of all traffic to unlicensed sites. A small number of operators were found to be responsible for a majority of that volume, underscoring the concentration of the issue.

In addition, 13% of traffic came from sites based in other EU countries but lacking Swedish licenses. A smaller portion of users accessed entirely unlicensed platforms with no legal oversight whatsoever. Many of these sites aggressively market through social media and affiliate programs, making it harder for regulators to monitor and block them.

Spelinspektionen has already issued several cease-and-desist orders targeting Curaçao-based operators. Last year, it sanctioned entities like Goodwin NV and Small House BV. Despite these enforcement efforts, around 6% of Swedish traffic still flows to platforms the regulator has already tried to shut down.

The regulator’s Director General, Camilla Rosenberg, voiced concerns over current legal limitations. At present, Swedish law only allows enforcement action against sites using Swedish payment providers or targeting users with Swedish-language content. This creates a loophole that bad actors can exploit by avoiding these specific tactics.

Rosenberg welcomed the government’s ongoing inquiry into expanding the law’s scope. “We believe our interventions have an effect, even within the current limits. But broader authority is necessary to combat illegal gambling effectively,” she said. The results of the inquiry are expected by September 17, 2025.

The issue comes amid a shifting regulatory landscape in Sweden. Since liberalizing its gambling market in 2019, Sweden has allowed private operators to compete with former monopoly Svenska Spel. However, the state is now winding down its land-based casino business. The last remaining Casino Cosmopol in Stockholm is set to close by January 1, 2026.

This closure reflects a growing focus on digital channels — and the importance of securing those channels from unlicensed threats. As online gambling becomes the dominant format, unregulated activity poses an increasing risk to consumer protection and tax revenue.

Spelinspektionen’s latest report is a wake-up call for Swedish regulators and lawmakers. With Curaçao, Anjouan, and domestic skin betting platforms funneling players away from the legal market, enforcement tools must evolve. The regulator’s push for broader powers is not just about compliance — it’s about preserving trust in Sweden’s gambling ecosystem. As the digital betting space grows, staying ahead of bad actors becomes not just a challenge, but a necessity.