Sweden’s gambling market posted a modest year-on-year revenue increase in Q3 2025, with licensed operators pulling in between SEK6.7 billion and SEK6.71 billion. While that’s only a 0.5% bump from the same period last year, it masks a sharper 4.4% drop from Q2’s SEK7.02 billion. The numbers point to one clear trend: online gambling is doing the heavy lifting as land-based operations continue to fade.
For the average online casino player, the digital scene remains stable — and more crucial than ever in the Swedish market.
Online Gambling Remains the Top Performer
Online casino and sports betting generated SEK4.51 billion in Q3, up 3.5% from last year, even without the benefit of major international events like the Euros or Olympics. The online sector’s resilience has helped Sweden’s gambling market weather rising taxes and tight regulations on bonuses and marketing.
With Sweden’s 2024 tax hike from 18% to 22% still fresh, and restrictions on player incentives still in place, the fact that online platforms are holding firm signals continued demand — especially from seasoned digital players who have adapted to the stricter environment.
Land-Based Gambling Fades Further with Casino Closures
Land-based gambling continues to retreat. Svenska Spel’s state lottery and slot machines brought in SEK1.26 billion, a 7.2% drop year-on-year. Restaurant casinos did slightly better, earning SEK67 million — up 3.1% — but the segment is minor in the bigger picture.
Most significantly, Q3 marked Sweden’s first full quarter without any revenue from Casino Cosmopol, following the April shutdown of the last remaining location. A legal ban on physical casinos will take full effect on January 1, 2026. For in-person gamblers, this spells the end of traditional casino visits and a clear push toward online alternatives.
Self-Exclusions on the Rise
The number of people self-excluding via Spelpaus.se reached over 130,000 — up 2.1% from the previous quarter. The trend reflects growing awareness of responsible gambling tools, but also raises flags about gambling-related harm. It could signal more incoming rules and restrictions that will affect all players, even those gambling casually.
Credit Ban Expansion to Hit in April 2026
Another major change coming: starting April 1, 2026, Swedish operators and agents will no longer be allowed to process gambling transactions funded by any form of credit. That includes loans, overdrafts, or external credit lines. Credit card payments could be blocked entirely.
This move could limit how some players fund their online gambling, particularly casual players who rely on flexible payment methods. While exceptions may exist for charity lotteries, most players will face stricter barriers to entry.
Bonus Ban Debate Splits Industry
A heated debate over bonuses is adding more uncertainty. State-linked giants Svenska Spel and ATG are pushing for a full ban on bonuses across licensed online gambling, claiming the incentives fuel problem gambling and appeal to underage users.
Their call is backed by stats showing a spike in gambling among teenage boys — from 27% to 43% over five years. But private operators, represented by BOS, argue the ban would only hurt the licensed market and drive players to offshore sites that continue offering unrestricted bonuses.
BOS Secretary General Gustaf Hoffstedt warned that banning welcome offers would benefit monopolies like Svenska Spel, who already enjoy large customer bases, while putting private brands at a clear disadvantage.
Risk of Players Going Offshore
The bigger worry is player migration. Hoffstedt says that removing bonuses could push more Swedes toward unlicensed operators that don’t follow Sweden’s consumer protection rules. For everyday players, that could mean exposure to riskier platforms with fewer safeguards.
A tighter bonus policy, paired with existing restrictions and a shrinking legal market, could reshape where and how Swedish players gamble in 2026.
