SE
Sweden's Gambling Act (2018:1138)
Overview
Sweden's Gambling Act (2018:1138), effective from January 1, 2019, regulates all forms of gambling for money or other items of monetary value within Sweden. The law promotes responsible gambling, protects consumers, and ensures gambling is conducted in a safe and controlled environment.
Regulation Summary
- Law enacted: June 14, 2018
- Effective date: January 1, 2019
- Most recent amendment: June 1, 2024
- Operators offering gambling services within Sweden, including online and land-based activities
- Foreign companies targeting Swedish users or operating on Swedish-registered vessels and aircraft
- Businesses producing, maintaining, or modifying gambling software used for Swedish players
- Private games in closed communities with small stakes
- Games not involving money or valuable items
- Games with prizes limited to goods and small monetary thresholds
- State premium bonds and financial betting
- Obtain licenses for each gambling activity type (lotteries, betting, online casinos, etc.)
- Prevent underage gambling and implement identity verification
- Fulfill consumer protection obligations, including duty of care and responsible gambling measures
- Maintain player accounts and submit regular reports to the authority
- Comply with marketing restrictions and technical system requirements
- Verify users are 18+ and not self-excluded
- Offer self-exclusion and deposit limit options
- Provide clear rules and winning odds in Swedish
- Ensure technical compliance with system location and oversight requirements
- Block unauthorized users and inform authorities of violations
- Licensees outside the EEA must appoint a representative in Sweden
- Gambling software providers must be authorized
- Payments must go through authorized payment service providers
- Player funds must be held separately from business assets
- Players may access, correct, and delete their data
- Rights to review gambling history and set gambling limits
- Limitations apply to data disclosure regarding criminal investigations or cheating
- Overseen by the Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen)
- Tools include fines (min SEK 5,000 up to 10% of annual revenue), license suspension, and criminal penalties
- Serious offenses may lead to imprisonment (up to 6 years) and forfeiture of assets