Sweden Moves to Block Access to Duel.com

Sweden's gambling regulator Spelinspektionen has issued an immediate prohibition order against offshore operator Immortal Snail LLC. The decision targets the duel.com platform, which has often sparked controversy over its marketing practices. The authority said the decision was taken to protect consumers.

Duel.com operates under a licence from the Anjouan Gaming Authority and is known for its provocative social media campaigns. However, the licensing body is also at the centre of the dispute. Anjouan authorities claim they are administered by the Anjouan Offshore Financial Authority on the island in the Indian Ocean. The government of the Comoros rejects this claim and has announced that it plans to start legal proceedings, arguing that an unauthorised licensing regime is being operated.

According to Spelinspektionen, the company did not want to remove Swedish-language content from its platform. The authority found that Swedish-language marketing was still being carried out on the site. It also noted that promises to block Swedish IP addresses had not been implemented. Users logging in from a Swedish IP address are presented with the Swedish krona and the Swedish language option.

The impact of the decision, however, is uncertain. Although regulators in many countries have issued fines or warnings to offshore operators, these companies often struggle to stop their activities. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation and The Guardian reported that Anjouan licences are issued through the London-based ACS Global Custodian, and that this structure is linked to the Sorsky family in Britain. ACS denies being involved in gambling licences.