Introduction to Swedish Casino Regulations

Gambling in Sweden is regulated by the Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen). The current gambling laws in Sweden were enacted in 2018 and they allow for both online and land-based gambling. However, there are some restrictions on online gambling, such as the requirement for operators to have a license from the Spelinspektionen.

What is the legal status of online casinos in Sweden?

It is legal for Swedish citizens to gamble at online casinos that are licensed by the Spelinspektionen. However, it is not legal for Swedish citizens to gamble at online casinos that are not licensed by the Spelinspektionen and doing so could result in losses of capital. You are not protected if anything happens to your money if the casino you playing on is not operating under the Swedish regulation laws. If you want to check if a certain casino is licensed in Sweden you can do so here.

What are the exceptions to the online gambling laws?

There are a few exceptions to the online gambling laws in Sweden. Swedish citizens are allowed to gamble at casinos that are operated by the state-owned gambling company, Svenska Spel. They are also allowed to gamble at private poker parties, as long as the parties are not organized for profit. Online there is no exceptions since it is allowed to play on casinos that are licensed. 

What are the penalties for violating the online gambling laws?

Swedish citizens who violate the online gambling laws could face fines or imprisonment. The penalties for violating the law are more severe if the offender is a gambling operator. Usually the fines are up in the amounts of €100,000’s and you should be careful before starting up your operation in Sweden if you are not familiar with the laws.