Sweden Spelinspektionen Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen)
This is Sweden's gambling regulator. It ended the state monopoly in January 2019 and opened a licensed market with strict rules, such as allowing only a first-time sign-up bonus. Regulated market revenue in 2025 was 28.2 billion kronor.
| English | Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen) |
|---|---|
| Classification | Licenses & Regulation |
| Authority | Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen) |
| Former name | Lotteriinspektionen (renamed in 2018) |
| Location | Strängnäs, Sweden |
| Legal basis | Gambling Act 2018 (in force January 1, 2019) |
| Market opened | January 1, 2019 |
| Gambling tax | 22% (since July 2023, previously 18%) |
| Self-exclusion | Spelpaus (about 134,500 registered, Q4 2025) |
| Bonuses | First sign-up bonus only, once |
| 2025 regulated market | 28.2 billion kronor (online over 18 billion kronor) |
| Channelization rate | About 84% for online casino (2025) |
Overview
Spelinspektionen (the Swedish Gambling Authority) is Sweden’s gambling regulator. Its original name was Lotteriinspektionen (the Lottery Inspectorate), and it was renamed to its current name in line with the new Gambling Act in 2018. It is based in Strängnäs, a city west of Stockholm.
For a long time, gambling in Sweden was monopolized by the state-owned company Svenska Spel and the horse racing company ATG. But as more people used offshore online casinos, the new Gambling Act took effect on January 1, 2019, allowing foreign private companies to obtain licenses and operate online casino and betting.
History
Sweden and the slot industry
Sweden is a small country of about 10 million people, but it is very important in the slot industry. World-class slot developers such as NetEnt, Play’n GO, Quickspin, ELK Studios, Thunderkick, Nolimit City and Yggdrasil either came from Sweden or were founded by Swedes. That is why Swedish rules also influence game design.
Key regulations
| Regulations | Details |
|---|---|
| Bonus | Each operator may offer a bonus only once, at first sign-up |
| Deposit limits | Daily, weekly and monthly deposit limits must be set at sign-up |
| Self-exclusion | Registering with Spelpaus blocks access to all licensed operators |
| On-screen display | “Reality check” tool showing play time and wins/losses is mandatory |
| ID verification | Sign up with the Swedish electronic ID (BankID) |
| Gambling tax | 22% of revenue |
Market size
| Item (2025) | Details |
|---|---|
| Total regulated market revenue | 28.2 billion kronor (about 2.64 billion euros, 1.3% increase) |
| Online gambling and betting | More than 18 billion kronor (3.3% increase) |
| State-run products | 3.4% decrease |
| Spelpaus registrants | About 134,500 people |
Channelization debate
The channelization rate is the share of all gambling that takes place on properly licensed sites. The Swedish Gambling Authority reported the online casino channelization rate for 2025 at about 84%. That means roughly 1 in 6 players use unlicensed sites, and the industry argues that strict bonus rules and tax increases push players toward the illegal market. The authority is stepping up enforcement against unlicensed sites and payment blocking.
Rating
Together with the UK, Sweden is considered a market with strong player protection. Along with its neighbor Denmark, it is a leading example of “Nordic-style” regulation, and its unified self-exclusion and identity verification systems have been widely referenced by other countries.
Location
The Swedish Gambling Authority is in Strängnäs, a city west of Stockholm.