Sweden's Gambling Act (2018:1138)

Regulation Summary

Timeline

Law enacted: June 14, 2018
Effective date: January 1, 2019
Most recent amendment: June 1, 2024

What Businesses Are Affected

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

Exemptions

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

Responsibilities for Businesses

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

Specific Responsibilities for Website Owners

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

Additional Requirements

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

Individual Rights

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

Enforcement

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