Spelinspektionen: New Guidance for Working Against Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing

The Swedish gambling authority, Spelinspektionen, has published new guidance relating to money laundering and terrorist financing, aswell as a new risk assessment.

This updated guidance and risk assessment comes as reports from the gambling industry to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIPO) are said to be on the rise.

In May, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) showed support for the EU’s anti-money laundering (AML) package. The European Council approved the EU’s new AML package, finalising the union’s new framework for combatting financial crime.

Spelinspektionen during 2024 worked on money laundering issues in preparation for the FATF review, while it also participated in the EU’s preparatory work on the new EU Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) and for this upcoming regulation related to money laundering in the EU.

On top of this, the authority during the year gave talks to advise on the risks of money laundering being conducted within the gambling industry, with accounts and companies potentially being used to conduct the illegal action.

Its work against money laundering has been assisted by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority, the Swedish Economic Crime Authority and the Swedish Financial police.

Spelinspektionen Director General Camilla Rosenberg said: “The gambling industry is a risk area for money laundering, and we have seen a need for further clarification and guidance in this area.

“We have therefore revised our guidance and are also conducting a new risk assessment.”