- Casino
- By State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- By State
- Slots
- Poker
- Sports
- Esports
Swedish Newspaper’s Games Violated the Gaming Act in the Country

Aftonbladet, one of the most popular daily newspapers published in Stockholm and the Nordic countries has been offering unlicensed betting through a series of manager contests, according to the Swedish Gambling Authority.
The Evening Paper Was Offering “Games in the Form of Betting”
According to the Aftonbladet publication whose name translates to “the evening paper” in English, they were offering readers “games in the form of betting” via manager competitions. These competitions worked very similarly to the way fantasy football competitions work. The contests would reward winners with a variety of prizes such as gift cards and iPhones.
The publication that was founded in 1830 by Lars Johan Hierta considered its manager competitions to be “clean skill games”. In their view, the games did not fall under the legal definition of “betting” according to the Nordic country’s official gambling regulations.
However, customers were asked to complete a payment that featured a two-month subscription to the newspaper’s Aftonbladet Plus version. At the same time, Aftonbladet Plus subscribers that were already paying the subscription fee were allowed to enter the contests free of any additional charges.
The Swedish Gambling Regulator Deemed Aftonbladet’s Games Unlicensed Betting
The Act that entered into force in January 2019 clearly mentions that skill and social games “fall outside the scope” of the activities regulated by the Act itself. Accordingly, they do not require any form of licensing. While Aftonbladet labeled its competitions as games of skill, the regulator called them a form of betting for which the publication failed to have the necessary license.
At the end of a thorough assessment completed by the Swedish Gambling Authority, the regulator that lobbies for gambling with licensed operators concluded that the outcomes of the manager competitions were directly connected to the outcomes of soccer tournaments that were unfolding in real life.
This means that they were, in fact, meeting the Gambling Act’s betting legal definition, since they required players to choose their preferred fictional sports teams made of optional players adjacent to real players, along with tournaments and real-world sports championships.
The outcomes of the competitions organized by the newspaper depended entirely on the results of the corresponding sports events in real life. In other words, the regulator considered that players were investing in the outcomes of future events, which falls under the direct definition of betting under the Act.
The publication that has also had an online presence since 1994 has corrected its wrongdoing and claims to no longer be in violation of the Gaming Act. The regulator concluded no additional banning or interdictions would be necessary. In January, the Swedish Gambling Authority gave a warning to the Swedish Bingo Association for failing to meet a series of social responsibility regulations on its platform.
Aftonbladet continues to offer its main newspaper services for free. The website has been continuously rated as one of the top five most visited websites in the country according to a number of different surveys.
After finishing her master's in publishing and writing, Melanie began her career as an online editor for a large gaming blog and has now transitioned over towards the iGaming industry. She helps to ensure that our news pieces are written to the highest standard possible under the guidance of senior management.
Must Read
Sports
September 10, 2025
Greece vs. Turkey EuroBasket 2025 Odds, Time, and Prediction
Sports
September 10, 2025
Newcastle vs. Barcelona Champions League Odds, Time, and Prediction
Sports
September 11, 2025
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira UFC 320 Odds, Time, and Prediction
More Articles
Sports
September 16, 2025
Texas Sees Surge in Sports Betting via DFS and Prediction Apps
Sports
September 16, 2025
Better Collective Introduces AI Betting Tool to Keep Users Engaged
Sports
September 16, 2025
Prediction Markets Face Legal Uncertainty as US States and Courts Weigh In
Sports
September 16, 2025
Washington Warns Gambling Among Teenagers Is on the Rise
Casino
September 16, 2025
Veikkaus Suspends Betting on Floorball as Probe Unfolds
Industry
September 15, 2025
GamCare Expands Its Role in Tackling Gambling Harm Across the UK
Casino
September 15, 2025
No Changes to Norway’s Gambling in Wake of General Election Expected
Sports
September 15, 2025
Massachusetts Sues Kalshi Over Alleged Unlawful Sports Betting
Industry
September 15, 2025
Curaçao Regulator Takes BC.Game License Revocation Off Public List
Industry
September 15, 2025
Lawmakers Try Again to End Federal Sports Betting Tax
Sports
September 12, 2025
Finland’s Floorball League Rocked by Wagering Scandal
Sports
September 12, 2025
NCAA Investigating 13 More College Players for Betting Violations