Global Gaming fails in latest bid to suspend Swedish licence ruling
Online gambling operator Global Gaming has failed in its latest attempt to overturn a decision to strip its SafeEnt subsidiary of its Swedish licence, after the country’s Supreme Administrative Court rejected an appeal for injunctive relief.
SafeEnt, which operates Ninja Casino, had its Swedish licences for commercial online gambling and betting revoked by national regulator Spelinspektionen in June for “serious deficiencies” in business practices, including failings related to responsible gambling and anti-money laundering measures.
Global Gaming filed an appeal against the decision with the Administrative Court in Linköping, saying the punishment is disproportionate and the decision lacks support in gaming law, adding that it has complied with all licence requirements.
However, an appeal for temporary relief from the ruling in order to allow it to continue operating the SafeEnt brand while the main appeal is heard has now been rejected by the Supreme Administrative Court.
Global Gaming noted that the Court turned down its appeal for injunctive relief without providing further explanation. The operator will now focus its efforts on the judicial review of the regulator’s original ruling.
The Administrative Court in Linköping also previously turned down a request from Global Gaming to suspend the ruling while the main appeal was debated. Global Gaming then failed in a bid to overturn this ruling.
“Although we were aware that the chances of being granted injunctive relief were limited, we are, of course, disappointed to see our appeal rejected again,” Global Gaming chief executive Tobias Fagerlund said.
“Our focus is now on the judicial review of the Spelinspektionen’s decision that is currently taking place. We maintain that the decision is fundamentally wrong and disproportionate, and will show it during the process that is currently underway in the Administrative Court.”
However, despite being without its SafeEnt subsidiary in Sweden, Global Gaming has this week returned to the market via a partnership with Finnplay Group.
New casino brand NanoCasino has now launched under a Swedish commercial online gaming licence held by Viral Interactive Limited, which has a marketing arrangement in place with one of Global Gaming's subsidiaries.
Viral Interactive, a subsidiary of Finnplay, has full responsibility for operating the NanoCasino.com site in Sweden.