WILLEMSTAD – Sweden’s gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen, has issued prohibition orders against two Curaçao-based operators, Bitx Operations NV and Ryker BV, accusing them of targeting Swedish players without holding the required license. The decision highlights Sweden’s increasingly tough stance on unlicensed gambling and raises pressing questions about Curaçao’s role as a global hub for online gaming.
Spelinspektionen found that the companies had made their platforms accessible to Swedish consumers and had engaged in marketing activities aimed at that market. By doing so, they breached Sweden’s licensing rules, which strictly prohibit unapproved operators from offering or promoting gambling services in the country. The regulator has now banned both companies from continuing these practices.
For Curaçao, this case goes beyond Sweden’s national enforcement. It underscores broader concerns about the island’s regulatory framework and its ability to oversee the large number of operators using its licenses. While Curaçao has long been known internationally as a center for online gambling, its reputation has come under scrutiny. European regulators have increasingly questioned whether Curaçao’s license holders comply with international standards on responsible gambling, anti-money laundering, and consumer protection.
The Swedish action comes at a time when Curaçao itself is in the process of reforming its gaming laws. The introduction of the new National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK) and the establishment of the Curaçao Gaming Authority are intended to tighten oversight and bring the island’s practices in line with global expectations. Still, cases like Bitx Operations NV and Ryker BV demonstrate that challenges remain, especially in ensuring operators do not misuse Curaçao’s license to sidestep regulations abroad.
This enforcement also reflects a wider European trend. Regulators across the continent are cracking down on operators who use offshore bases to tap into lucrative markets without proper approval. Sweden’s decisive move is part of a broader push to protect players, enforce compliance, and prevent the risks associated with unregulated gambling.
For Curaçao, the implications are significant. Its reputation as a trustworthy licensing jurisdiction is at stake, and its maritime and economic identity as a global financial and gaming hub could be damaged if operators continue to misuse its system. The Curaçao Gaming Authority will need to strengthen monitoring and demonstrate its willingness to act against those who put the island’s credibility at risk.
The ban in Sweden is therefore more than a regulatory ruling in Stockholm. It is a reminder that Curaçao must step up its reforms and show the world that it can balance its economic interests in the gambling industry with the responsibility of being a credible, modern, and internationally respected regulator.
