Swedish Gambling Law Gives Poker Pro Isildur1 $150m Tax Liability

Now that Isildur1 revealed himself as 20-year-old Swedish poker professional Viktor Blom at the Poker Stars Caribbean Adventure, one of the gambling industries most intriguing mysteries can be laid to rest. However, beyond spoiling speculation, Blom is likely to repentant his exposure to the world. While internet poker in Sweden is fairly legal, Swedish gambling laws hold poker players and other gamblers responsible for reporting their wins to the Swedish Tax Authority.

There are some exceptions to those Swedish gambling laws. Poker players who win at online poker sites in Sweden which are actually based within the European Union do not need to pay taxes on their winnings. Nor do gamblers who win money from Svenska Spel, the Swedish state gambling monopoly. However, it is well known that under the name Isildur1, Blom triumphantly played and won vast sums from many internet poker rooms which do not fit these criteria. The Swedish Tax Authority wagers their time and reputation that they have a strong case against him.

According to Swedish gambling laws, Swedish gamblers who wager outside the European Union must pay an income tax of 30% on each winning jackpot. As Blom won and received millions of dollars during 2010, wagering at internet poker rooms elsewhere, such as Full Tilt Poker based out of Ireland, the Swedish government may hold Blom responsible for $150 million as outstanding income tax.

The Skatteverket, the Swedish Tax Authority refused to comment specifically on the case stating only “Internet poker is something we’re looking into and I know this poker player, but I can’t comment on whether we’ve opened a case.”

Viktor Blom is currently a resident of London, England. Some conjecture that he moved to the United Kingdom to dodge the Swedish taxes from his internet poker room wins. Others compound this assumption with a similar one that he likewise withheld his secret identity to escape Swedish taxation.