ATG condemned for non-compliance AML
A Swedish court ruling has reopened the debate on the control of gambling operators with regard to anti-money laundering obligations. The operator ATG (Aktiebolaget Trav och Galopp) has just been fined.
From the initial penalty to the appeal
In November 2022, the Swedish Gaming Authority, Spelinspektionen, imposed a fine of SEK 6 million on ATG for serious breaches of its money laundering obligations.
ATG challenged the penalty before the administrative courts, and the court of first instance annulled the fine on the grounds that the penalty applied was disproportionate
But the story does not end there: the case went back to the Administrative Court of Appeal in Jönköping, which handed down its verdict on 14 October 2025.
The Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the authority, confirming the seriousness of the alleged breaches, but reducing the fine to SEK 3 million. The Court therefore acknowledged the existence of a serious breach of the duty of care towards customers, but considered that the facts did not justify the higher initial fine.
The breaches identified by the courts
At the heart of the judgement, the Court of Appeal highlighted shortcomings in the client verification mechanisms (due diligence) and in the assessment of money laundering and terrorist financing risks. In other words, ATG had not sufficiently or correctly applied the controls required to ensure that its users were not involved in illicit financial flows.
The judgment emphasises that the transactions in question involved significant amounts, which accentuates the impact of the failure to comply with basic regulatory obligations. The reduction in the amount of the fine compared to the initial sum does not call into question the recognition of fault, but reflects a nuance in the assessment of the seriousness of the facts.
ATG facing headwinds
This decision comes at a difficult time for ATG, which is already facing a fall in its financial results and increased competition from the unregulated market.
In the first half of 2025, the company saw its net gaming revenues fall by 5% year-on-year to SEK 2,566 million, with the second quarter showing a 2% contraction. ATG attributed this erosion in part to the increase in gaming tax from 18% to 22% in mid-2024 – a tax change that has resulted in an estimated additional cost of SEK 105 million for the company. However, the company insisted that its number of active customers remained stable at around 1.4 million.
But beyond the figures, the ruling undermines ATG’s position as an example of compliance and reliability in the Swedish legal gaming industry.
Impact and lessons learned
While the reduced fine (SEK 3 million) represents a modest financial burden for a major player, its symbolic effect is far from negligible. It serves as a reminder that compliance is not an adjustment variable, but a constant requirement.
For operators, the message is clear: strengthening customer verification systems, transaction monitoring and risk management is more than ever a priority.
For the regulator, this decision consolidates its credibility and its ambition to regulate a rapidly changing market.
For the public, it is an assurance that even major brands are not immune from having to meet their obligations.