Sweden is moving to tighten its grip on unlicensed gambling platforms with a fresh set of proposals that would shift how the country enforces its gambling laws. If approved, these changes would force offshore casino sites to actively block Swedish users — not just avoid targeting them.
The proposals come from Marcus Isgren, who led a review of Sweden’s 2018 Gambling Act. His recommendations, presented in memorandum Ds 2025:23, have been welcomed by major stakeholders including the state-owned Svenska Spel and the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS).
From Intent to Access: A Shift in Legal Focus
Under current law, Sweden’s gambling watchdog, Spelinspektionen, can only act if a gambling site is clearly aimed at Swedish users — for example, through Swedish-language content or targeted ads. That narrow focus has let many offshore operators slip through the cracks.
Isgren wants that to change. His proposed “participant criterion” would allow authorities to take action against any gambling platform that Swedes can access, regardless of whether the site is actively targeting them.
For the average online player, this could mean fewer options to play on unlicensed international sites — even if those platforms don’t advertise directly in Sweden.
Payment Services on the Hook
The reforms wouldn’t just hit gambling operators. Companies providing payment or admin services to offshore casinos would also face new obligations.
Under the new rules, these service providers would have to assume a user is based in Sweden unless they can prove otherwise. That presumption could make it much harder for Swedes to fund their accounts on unlicensed sites using common payment methods like e-wallets, crypto gateways, or third-party processors.
This puts pressure on platforms that indirectly support unlicensed gambling, essentially cutting off the financial lifelines that make these sites accessible.
Spelpaus and Player Protection Set for Upgrade
Sweden’s national self-exclusion system, Spelpaus, is also getting a proposed upgrade. Operators would be required to implement stricter ID checks, making it harder for players to bypass self-exclusion measures — a move aimed at curbing problem gambling and reinforcing player protections.
Why Now? Falling Channelisation Sparks Action
Sweden’s regulated gambling market has been struggling to meet its channelisation target — the share of gambling done through licensed operators. The government aims for 90%, but the latest numbers from September 2025 show it’s hovering around 85%.
Online casino figures are even worse. A BOS-backed survey found that only 72% of online casino activity in 2023 took place on licensed platforms.
That shortfall is a key reason behind the push for these legal updates. By holding both operators and payment providers accountable, regulators hope to funnel more players into the legal market.
Industry Voices Back the Changes
Svenska Spel CEO Anna Johnson has voiced strong support, calling the proposals a necessary step to protect consumers and rebuild trust in the system.
BOS Secretary General Gustaf Hoffstedt echoed that view, saying the changes would help “smoke out” unlicensed operators and strengthen the licensing system. BOS has long called for this kind of approach — one that penalizes not just intent, but actual access by Swedish players.
When Could This Take Effect?
If lawmakers approve the recommendations, the changes are scheduled to come into force on January 1, 2027. That gives operators, service providers, and regulators time to adjust — but it also sets a firm deadline for cleaning up Sweden’s online gambling environment.
