Sweden has a regulated online gambling market that gives players access to a variety of gambling options. The country legalizes several forms of internet betting, including online slots, poker, bingo and sports betting. Regulatory bodies such as the Gaming Inspectorate monitor the industry to protect consumers.
You can legally participate in lotteries, scratch cards, keno and casino entertainment through approved local operators or offshore sites that have valid licenses. In the market, there are well-known platforms such as Svenska Spel and ATG that operate under special privileges. Gambling laws require providers to implement security measures around age verification, advertising rules, problem gambling resources and more. Players must be at least 18 years old to access most games.
Types of legal gambling
Sweden allows various types of legal gambling entertainment for consumers, including:
Lotteries – State-run games such as Lotto as well as charity lotteries
Scratch cards – Paper tickets with instant winnings
Bingo – Offered by approved non-profit organizations
Slots – Video game machines located in supervised environments
Keno – Number draw game operated by Svenska Spel
Poker – Available online and in licensed card rooms/casinos
Roulette – Approved table game in physical premises and online casinos
Blackjack – Offered in legal land-based and online casinos
Craps – Dice game provided in regulated gambling establishments
Horse racing betting – Managed by ATG under state supervision
Sports betting – Fixed odds and parimutuel via Svenska Spel
Legal forms of online gambling
Sweden allows various legal forms of entertainment for online gambling, including:
Online slot machines – video slots offered by licensed operators such as Svenska Spel
Online bingo – Electronic bingo games run by approved charities
Online poker – Legal poker sites operated by Svenska Spel and licensees
Online keno – Number draw games provided by Svenska Spel
Other online casino games – Table games, slots and video poker offered legally by offshore sites and Svenska Spel online casino
To participate in these games legally, players must use approved operators that hold Swedish licenses. Some of these can be found at spelabrawl.se or other similar sites. Offshore gambling sites must be licensed and follow regulations to offer internet gambling to citizens legally. All betting on the internet is monitored by gambling officials.
Key laws for gambling
There are several key laws that regulate gambling activities in Sweden:
Lottery Act 1994 – defines lotteries and related games such as betting, bingo and slot machines. Establishes a state gambling monopoly for Svenska Spel (sports betting) and ATG (horse racing). Allows charity lotteries and raffles.
The 1999 Casinos Act – Requires gaming licenses for casinos and imposes oversight on operations, record keeping, age limits, and more. Also limits the number of land-based casinos to six major venues.
2002 Amendment – Enables Svenska Spel, ATG and approved charities to offer lottery products, betting and other games online to citizens.
Spellag SFS 2018:1138 – Legislation adopted in 2018 and coming into force in 2019 requiring a license for all operators wishing to legally offer online gambling in Sweden. Also strengthens consumer protection.
These basic laws legalize different gambling formats and provide regulation around licensing, taxes, responsible gambling measures and more.
Swedish Gambling Authority
The Swedish Gambling Authority oversees gambling regulation and operations throughout the country. The Authority ensures that licensees comply with the rules, protects consumers, promotes responsible gambling and reduces problems such as gambling disruption, fraud and underage access to gambling.
Specific duties include:
Reviewing license applications
Conducting compliance audits
Investigating violations and complaints
Blocking unlicensed gambling sites and payment processing
Educating the public about risks
Funding research on problem gambling
Advising legislators on regulatory policy
With a staff of over 35 people, the Authority takes an active role in monitoring the industry and minimizing illegal offers through partnerships with law enforcement agencies. They work to keep licensed gambling fair and safe for adults.
Age requirements
| Spelformat | Lägsta lagliga ålder |
| Lotterier | 18 år |
| Keno | 18 år |
| Bingo | 18 år i år |
| Välgörenhet bordsspel | 18 år |
| Landbaserade kasinon | 20 år |
| Spelande på nätet | 18 år |
Sweden allows adults 18 and older to participate in most games of chance, including lotteries, bingo, and approved table offerings from charities and non-profit organizations. Only physical, land-based casinos require a higher age limit of 20 years for entry.
For context, the legal age for drinking and smoking is also 18 in the country. So gambling entertainment adheres to similar age restrictions as other regulated activities that are allowed for legal adults. Online gambling sites use identity checks during account registration to verify age.
Rules on advertising
Licensed gambling operators must follow certain advertising rules:
Advertising is allowed in approved media channels
TV, radio, print and internet advertisements are allowed
Operators can advertise introductory offers to players
However, advertisements must not explicitly target minors under the age of 18
Marketing content must not depict underage gambling
Responsible gambling messages are required in the material
Limitations on the scope and volume of advertising
The rules aim to allow licensed operators to market their games to adults while prohibiting content intended to attract young people. Gambling ads also require ethical standards around honesty, safety and social responsibility. Overall, the rules balance access to marketing with stricter protection for vulnerable groups.
Focus on consumer protection
Swedish gambling laws and regulatory policies emphasize consumer protection around safety, responsible gambling, transparency, privacy and dispute resolution. All licensees must implement measures such as:
Identity and age verification checks
Setting of deposit and loss limits
Self-exclusion options
Detailed monthly account history statements
Encrypted payment processing
Independent audits
Training of staff on problem gambling
Register for public licensing
Players also have access to resources should problems arise, such as a national self-exclusion register, helplines, therapy referrals and a central complaints system. Regulators take action against aggressive marketing, misleading claims, illegal websites with insufficient protection and other risks. The focus of regulation remains on safety alongside entertainment.
Emphasis on stricter regulation
Over the past decade, Sweden has introduced stricter gambling regulations around consumer protection, supervision and licensing oversight. New laws such as the Gambling Act SFS 2018:1138 and the national licensing mandate have increased the demands on operators to address issues such as fraud, money laundering, gambling integrity, responsible gambling, transparency and consumer rights. Regulators are also now actively monitoring metrics on problem gambling, gambling disorders and minors’ access to gambling. Fines for violations were increased along with blocking features for unauthorized websites. Licensing now also involves stricter requirements. The emphasis is on maintaining ethical, legal and safe Swedish gambling services through tightened and extended regulations. As the online gambling sector grows locally, authorities continue to work to minimize risks through safer gambling measures.
Penalties for unlicensed operators
Sweden has introduced stricter laws on unlicensed gambling sites and services:
Offering gambling without a Swedish license is illegal
Unauthorized sites risk ISP blocking and payment bans
Fines of up to 5 million SEK per violation
Unlicensed operators are taxed on gross gaming revenue
Players are taxed on winnings from illegal websites
Gaming Authority investigates and sanctions rogue operators
Enforces policies by blocking websites, blocking payments and blacklisting operators
The crackdown aims to channel players to regulated alternatives such as state-owned entities and licensed private websites. Casinos, gambling companies and poker rooms that are not approved now risk significant fines, being put on the national blacklist and other measures if they provide gambling illegally to citizens without proper Swedish licenses.
