Sweden Bans Bitx Operations and Ryker from Gaming Market
The Swedish Gambling Authority, Spelinspektionen, has banned Bitx Operations and Ryker from operating in the Swedish online gaming market.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The decision showcases the regulator's ongoing effort to eliminate unregulated iGaming platforms and direct consumers toward licensed operators. Neither Bitx Operations nor Ryker held the required Swedish gaming license to offer their services domestically, yet they were allegedly targeting players in the country.
Bitx Operations’ website, Playbet.io, purportedly featured Swedish text, offered Swedish krona as a payment option, and had Sweden's country code pre-selected for users accessing the site from Sweden. Ryker's website, jackbit.com, displayed Swedish language and had Sweden's country code pre-selected for users accessing the site from Sweden. The company also used Swedish-speaking affiliates to market its services.
These unlicensed activities by the two companies contravened Sweden's Gambling Act and, as such, led to swift enforcement action from Spelinspektionen.
Channelization Rate Falls Short of Target
The latest bans are a part of a broader strategy by Spelinspektionen to combat the influx of unlicensed operators, particularly those engaging in "skin" gambling that skirts regulatory oversight. It also aligns with the country’s efforts to increase the channelization of betting activity to regulated platforms.
Sweden's online gambling market, which saw modest growth to SEK 7 billion in the second quarter of 2025, relies heavily on maintaining high channelisation to sustain revenue and fund responsible gambling initiatives.
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In 2024, online casino games recorded channelisation rates between 72% and 82%, notably lower than sports betting's 92-96% rate, highlighting the sector’s susceptibility to offshore or unlicensed gaming.
Sweden's overall channelization rate decreased to 85% last year from 86% in 2023, failing to meet the government's 90% target. Authorities believe that by intensifying efforts to combat unlicensed gambling and improving regulatory measures, Sweden can increase its channelization rate and better protect players.
The channelisation rate in 2024 is estimated at 85%, which shows that the predominant part of Swedish gambling takes place with licensed operators. However, the rate is below the target of 90% and we see that the channelisation rate for online casinos is particularly low.
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