Betsson reprimanded for offering markets favoured by match-fixers in Sweden

Betsson has been reprimanded by the Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA) after being found guilty of offering betting on rule violations in a top-flight football match in Sweden.

Under Swedish gambling regulation, operators are not permitted to offer markets on rule violations, such as penalties or yellow and red cards, due to concerns regarding potential match-fixing issues.

On 25 May, the SGA received a tip that Betsson had offered such markets on a fixture between Malmö FF and Elfsborg on 20 May.

Betsson said that a turnover of approximately SEK3,000 had been made on the markets which had been offered via a third-party service and only as part of a combination bet.

However, upon discovery of the issue, the operator declared the bets void and the stakes were returned to players.

Betsson maintained its relative innocence in the matter, arguing the markets did not contravene the regulations around match-fixing as the market was only available as part of a combination bet.

The Stockholm-listed firm went on to say it ensured its third-party provider would no longer offer such markets, as well as confirming its in-house routines and checks to ensure the operator would continue to follow regulations.

Betsson said: “In a mitigating direction, the low turnover on betting, that the games were annulled, that the players’ bets were paid back and that Betsson has taken measures to prevent similar situations in the future. Even that the fact that the betting was offered at a relatively high sporting level should be considered mitigation in the case.”

The SGA said that based on the seriousness of the matter, it would only hand Betsson a reprimand, deeming it a “sufficient intervention”.