Swedish Regulator Blocks Novatech Sites

Swedish Regulator Blocks Novatech Sites

The Swedish gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen, has issued a prohibition order against several online gambling sites linked to the operator Novatech after determining that the platforms were accessible to users in Sweden without the required national licence. The decision follows a short but focused investigation that examined how the company’s websites handled registrations and whether their services were being directed toward Swedish consumers.

The case developed over several days in February 2026, when the regulator inspected multiple domains associated with Novatech. The review focused on five sites: qbet.com, mangacasino.com, slotexpress.com, 55bet.com, and 30bet.com. Authorities assessed whether these platforms allowed Swedish users to register and access gambling products despite operating outside the country’s licensing system.

Sweden introduced its current regulatory model through the Swedish Gambling Act, which requires companies to obtain a licence before offering gambling services to people located within the country. Operators that do not hold such authorisation are not permitted to target Swedish consumers. Regulators monitor online platforms to determine whether offshore websites are attempting to reach the domestic market despite this requirement.

During the inspection, authorities reviewed several aspects of how the Novatech sites functioned. One part of the assessment examined the account registration process. Investigators reported that users connecting from Swedish IP addresses were automatically shown Sweden’s country code during registration. According to the regulator, this feature suggested that the platforms had not implemented restrictions that would prevent Swedish residents from opening accounts.

The regulator also examined how the brands were promoted online. Its findings indicated that advertising linked to the Novatech sites had appeared on Swedish-language websites. Authorities also observed marketing through content creators who broadcast gambling-related material on streaming platforms. In the regulator’s view, this type of promotion indicated that the services were being presented to Swedish audiences.

To test the platforms directly, the authority conducted a covert registration attempt on one of the domains. Investigators created an account on qbet.com while accessing the site from Sweden. According to the regulator, the process allowed the user to register and open an account without encountering restrictions connected to licensing or location. This step formed part of the evidence used in the final decision.

Following the review, Spelinspektionen concluded that the domains had been available to Swedish players in a manner inconsistent with national rules. The authority therefore issued a banning order requiring the operator to stop offering gambling services to users in Sweden through the identified websites.

In its statement, the regulator emphasized the role of consumer protection in the enforcement process. Sweden’s licensing framework requires operators to follow a set of rules intended to reduce gambling-related harm and ensure oversight of the sector. Licensed companies must apply identity verification procedures, provide responsible gambling tools, and comply with limits on marketing practices.

Authorities argue that these safeguards only apply when operators participate in the regulated market. When companies outside the system allow Swedish users to access their services, the regulator considers that those protections may not be in place. This concern formed part of the reasoning behind the decision to intervene.

The action in Sweden took place shortly after another regulatory development involving the same operator. Earlier in the week, the Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit, announced a financial penalty against Novatech after determining that the company had offered gambling services to players in the Netherlands without holding a licence. While the Swedish and Dutch proceedings are separate cases, both actions reflect regulatory scrutiny of operators operating outside national licensing systems.