Swedish regulator raps operators for under-18 football betting

Swedish gambling regulator Spelinspektionen has issued warnings to a number of operators that were found to have offered certain betting options on a football match featuring players under the age of 18.

The game in question took place yesterday (April 29), with IFK Göteborg facing off against AIK in the Allsvenska, Sweden’s top-tier club competiton.

Spelinspektionen said that certain individual betting options for the match were directly related to players under the age of 18. Swedish law strictly prohibits any betting on players or athletes who are not yet 18.

Although the regulator did not name the players or operators at the centre of the case, it did confirm that it will now initiate special supervision of the companies involved to ensure they do not commit similar offences in future.

“The regulations aim to protect the integrity of youth sports and is of importance to prevent people under the age of 18 being those looking to manipulate games, so-called match fixing,” Spelinspektionen said.

“Spelinspektionen is very serious about such [offences] and has therefore initiated supervision of several companies regarding betting on players under the age of 18.”

IFK Göteborg won the match 3-0.

Image: Max Pixel