Online Gambling Legislation Sweden

The Sweden iGaming market is well-developed and continues to grow at a steady pace. The country’s strong economy, high disposable income, and general acceptance of gambling as a form of entertainment all contribute to this growth.

These factors are clearly reflected in the stats.

In 2025, the market is expected to generate about $5.38 billion in revenue, with an average annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 3% through 2029.

It’s no wonder many established operators are looking to get a piece of the Swedish gaming market. But entering it isn’t as straightforward as it might seem.

Sweden has one of the most hugely regulated gambling markets in the world. Any breaching can result in immediate harsh sanctions.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Sweden’s online gambling laws to see if entering the market is really worth it.

Sweden’s Gambling Act

In Sweden, all gambling is regulated by the Gambling Act. This law came into effect on January 1, 2019, and it sets out clear, strict rules for any gambling activity that involves money or anything of value within Swedish territory.

The authority making sure everything runs by the book is Spelinspektionen, also known as the Swedish Gambling Authority.

So, what exactly Spelinspektionen do?

First, it handles license applications. That means reviewing detailed documents from gambling companies, checking their backgrounds, and making sure they follow Swedish laws.

Once licensed, companies are closely monitored. The regulator runs regular checks, audits, and inspections to ensure everything is done responsibly.

If companies break the rules, Spelinspektionen can issue fines, cancel licenses, report serious issues to the police, or require changes to how the company operates, especially when it comes to protecting players from gambling harm.

The Swedish online gambling industry is all about player safety. 

The authority makes sure operators have proper systems in place, such as age checks, tools for self-exclusion, and support for those who may be struggling with gambling. All of that is part of “duty of care”, the obligation that requires license holders to actively protect players from any gambling-related harm.

Overview of Regulated Activities

The Swedish Gambling Authority allows many online gambling activities like online casinos, sports betting, online bingo, and lotteries. But there’s one golden rule: only licensed operators can offer these services.

There are two main types of online gambling licenses (and a bunch of other types for land-based activities):

Commercial Online Gambling License

The commercial gambling license covers online casino games like slots machines, bingo, and table games. It’s made for operators who want to offer a full casino experience to Swedish players.

To get the license, operators must show they have strong systems for responsible gambling measures, protect players, and follow technical rules like hosting their systems in Sweden. They also need to show all bets in Swedish kronor (SEK).

And since July 1, 2023, even gambling software providers must have this license.

Online Betting License

This one covers betting on sports, horse racing, lottery results, and wagering on eSports. There is no cap on the number of licenses. Operators can apply for just one or both.

No matter what kind of gambling an operator offers, their systems must either be hosted in Sweden or be accessible remotely by the regulator. If the company is outside the EU/EEA, it also needs to have a local representative in Sweden.

Getting gambling license in Sweden isn’t fast or easy. The process can take up to a year and requires detailed documentation, all in Swedish. But the effort pays off.

In the end, the license holder gains credibility, smoother access to payment services, and faces fewer legal risks.A license from Spelinspektionen gives both local and international operators the green light to promote their services in Sweden, but not targeting minors or self-excluded players.

Breaching these rules can result in strict penalties for operators.

Spelinspektionen often makes headlines for actively blocking unlicensed operators that try to target the Swedish market. In 2025, it banned companies like EOD Code SRL, Igloo Ventures SRL, MIBS NV, and ASG 360 Services for illegal operations.

Licensed holders can also face heavy fines for breaches of responsible gambling and anti-money laundering (AML) rules, with penalties reaching tens of millions of SEK. In the beginning of June, the SGA fined Betsson, Snabbare & PokerStars $1.8 million for weak AML controls.

Domestic vs Foreign Operators

Both Swedish and foreign operators can offer online gambling services in the local market. But there are some key differences in how they operate and what’s required to get a license.

First, all operators must obtain a license from the SGA. While domestic operators are already headquartered in Sweden, foreign operators must either be baseed within the EEA or appoint a physical representative in the country.

The same applies to technical hosting. Local operators usually host their gambling servers and systems in the country. Foreign operators are required to do the same.

Once licensed, they can fully access the Swedish market and promote their services to local players.

To sum up, here’s what international companies need to do to get a Swedish license:

• Have appropriate experience in the gambling industry
• Submit a full application in Swedish, along with a business plan, financial records, and details about owners and key staff
• Appoint a local representative residing who live in Sweden
• Host their gambling systems and software in Sweden
• Put strong player protection tools in place like self-exclusion tools, age verification, and deposit limits

Sweden prohibits all cross-border gambling services. If a company wants to reach Swedish players, it doesn’t matter where they’re based—a Swedish license is a must.

Social Responsibility and Consumer Safety

Swedish has a highly strict legislation in Europe for good reason. The main goal is to protect players, especially those who might be at risk.

That’s why the SGA puts a big focus on responsible gambling and preventing harm.

Starting from October 1, 2024, licensed operators are required to submit detailed action plans. These plans must clearly outline the responsible gambling policies being used, not just in theory, but in everyday practice.

And that’s just the beginning.

All gambling websites in Sweden must clearly show important information, like their license number, terms and conditions, tools for responsible gambling, and where players can get help.

They also need to offer practical tools that help users stay in control, such as setting limits on money and time, and warnings when you spend too much. Plus, players must be able to block themselves from gambling using Sweden’s national self-exclusion system, Spelpaus.

Sweden also takes money safety very seriously.

Operators have to check who their players are and where their money comes from. If someone spends a lot or seems to be high-risk, companies must run deeper checks.

This is all part of Sweden anti-money laundering rules, which include things like verifying identity (Customer Due Diligence), deeper checks for high-risk cases (Enhanced Due Diligence), tracking transactions, and reporting anything suspicious to the authorities.

There are also clear rules about how gambling systems work. All systems must be safe, fair, and either hosted in Sweden or easy for the authorities to check. In turn, all games must be tested by independent companies to make sure they are not rigged.

And of course, all personal data must be protected under Swedish and European laws like GDPR.

Lastly, there are clear rules for advertising. Companies are not allowed to target minors, people who have self-excluded, or use ads that are confusing or misleading. Everything has to be honest and responsible.

How to Obtain and Maintain a License in Sweden

Getting a Swedish gambling license might seem tough, and it really is. And MGL’s here to walk you through. Here’s what the licensing process looks like:

Step 1. Set Up a Company and Prepare Corporate Documents

The timeline is about 2-4 weeks.

First, you’ll need to register the company in the EEA. At the same time, you’ll prepare corporate documents: certificate of incorporation, company registration documents, articles of association, and organizational structure. Plus, don’t forget to appoint a physical representative in Sweden.

This paperwork might be freaking scary. We get it and are ready to handle the preparation process, from a company setting up to searching and applying for a physical representative person.

Documents preparation is also on us. MGL is here to simplify the licensing process to you. All we ask from you is your personal information — the rest, just leave to us.

Step 2. Business Plan and Policies Developing

The timeline is about 6-8 weeks.

At this stage, we’ll work with you to develop a detailed business plan, as well as AML/CFT, KYC, and Duty of Care policies. These policies must follow Swedish legislation and the best world practices. We know exactly what the regulator expects, and we’ll make sure everything is up to par from day one.

Step 3. Tech Preparation and Certification

The timeline is 8-12 weeks, but we recommend working on this in parallel with the previous steps.

Here, the SGA requires that your gaming systems are properly set up and hosted in Sweden. Your platform is also needed to integrate with Spelpaus.se, the national self-exclusion system.

On top of that, the system must be inspected and certified by an independent, accredited organization. The technical documentation must also be certified.

Step 4. Preparing of Personal Documentation for Key Personnel

The timeline is about 4-6 weeks. Again, it’s best to start this step early and work on it in parallel with the rest.

Here, operators need to gather details of owners, board members, and key staff, including passports, clean criminal records, and CVs. MGL can help with it as well.

Step 5. Submit Application and Pay the Fee

The timeline is about 1-2 weeks.

Once all your documents are translated into Swedish and your website has a Swedish landing page, you’re ready to submit a full application to Spelinspektionen website.

Next, you’ll pay the license fee. Starting in January 2025, online gambling and betting operators pay €23,760 (SEK 264,000) per license.

For lotteries, the fee depends on their turnover.

For example, those with turnovers up to €270,000 or SEK 3 million will pay €1,350 or SEK 15,000 annually.

Operators with turnovers between €900,000 (SEK 3 million and SEK 10 million) will pay €2,700 or SEK 30,000 while those exceeding €90 million (SEK 1 billion) will pay the highest annual fee of €31,500 (SEK 350,000).

Remember that payment must always be made in Swedish kronor following the paid details provided on the SGA website.

After applying, you’ll receive a registration number (called Diarienummer) by email or by letter sent by post.

Step 6. Application Reviewing

The timeline is up to one year.

Now the waiting game begins. The SGA will carefully review your application. Don’t panic if they ask for extra documents or schedule an interview with your key staff in Sweden — that’s completely normal.

When that happens, respond quickly and provide what’s needed. And yes, MGL will help you reply and even guide you through any interviews.

Step 7. Maintaining the License after the Approval

Once approved, you’re ready to launch operations in Sweden. But there are still a few things to take care of.

You’ll need to open Swedish bank accounts and make sure all bets on your website are shown in Swedish kronor (SEK).

Next, you’ll also have to meet ongoing requirements like responsible gambling tools, AML compliance, and technical standards, regular reporting, and cooperating with authorities.

About 4 months before the license expires, you’ll need to prepare the paperwork for renewal.

Wrapping Up

The Swedish online gambling market is a real prize for experienced operators. It’s full of high-value players who expect fun, high-tech gaming experiences. But these players are also quite spoiled—they’re used to things like AI-powered personalization, live casino streams, and smooth, fast payments. And they’re not willing to settle for less.

Meanwhile, the market operators are under the strictest licensing models in Europe that are designed to protect players and make a safe environment for everyone involved.

So, full compliance isn’t just a legal requirement when obtaining a license, it’s the key to building trust with players and maintaining long-term success. The Swedish model prioritizes responsibility and player welfare, and you need to be ready for that. Breaking the rules can lead to heavy penalties.