Sweden was actually one of the first European countries to legalize online gambling all the way back in 2002. However, for years the market stagnated as it was controlled by the state-owned company Svenska Spiel.
Luckily, the government saw the light and, in 2019, passed the Swedish Gambling Act, which allowed international operators to apply for a local license and operate in Sweden. All online gambling is regulated by the Spelinspektionen, bonus points if you can pronounce that correctly!
Swedes now have access to 50+ online casinos and sports betting sites. Virtually all forms of gambling are legal in Sweden, including casino games, sports betting, daily fantasy sports, lotteries, and poker.
It gets mighty cold in Sweden, and for long periods of time, there is very little sunlight. During the cold and dark months, Swedes are often cooped up in their homes, so it is not surprising that online gambling is so popular in this Scandinavian country.
In 2022 Swedish licensed betting sites generated $2.6 billion in revenue, and according to the Swedish Gambling Authority, the industry is growing 7% per year. Even more impressively, 72% of Swedes fessed up and declared they had gambled within the last 12 months!
Swedes have a special affinity for online poker. They completely transformed the game in early 2000 with their loose aggressive style, which completely bewildered their opponents. Everyone was mimicking Doyle Bruson, playing fundamentally sound poker but had no answers for the Swedes, who would mercilessly bluff and were impossible to read because they could show up with all kinds of different hands. Also, who can forget Isildur’s legendary run in 2009, where he took the top pros for millions?
Swedes are also big fans of slots, and for a small country have had a massive impact on the iGaming industry. Some of the biggest casino game developers hail from Sweden, including Yggdrasil, NetEnt, and of course, Evolution Gaming.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Sweden?
Online poker, casino games like slots and roulette, sports betting, and lotteries are all legal in Sweden. They were first legalized in 2002 when the 1994 Lotteries Act was amended to cover online gambling. From 2002 up to 2019, the Swedish online gambling market was heavily restricted as it was monopolized by the state-owned company Svenska Spel.
It wasn’t until 2019, when the Swedish government passed the Gambling Act, that private and international online operators could enter the market. To legally offer online gambling in Sweden, an operator must apply for a license from the Spelinspektionen. Licensed Swedish betting sites have to pay an 18% tax on gross gambling revenue and an application fee of 400,000 SEK.
Swedish players can also access offshore betting sites. However, offshore betting sites that operate in Sweden without a license can face serious fines and legal action. Prior to 2019, offshore sites were popular as they gave Swedes access to more exciting games, better bonuses, and a superior gaming experience, but since the Swedish market has opened up, most players now prefer to play at locally licensed sites.
The Swedish gambling market is now a mix of local and international operators. Some of the most popular online casinos include LeoVegas, Betway, Mr Green, Frank Casino, and Lucky Casino. Leading sportsbooks in Sweden include Betsson, William Hill, and bet365.
Swedish Online Casinos
Sweden has taken a unique, socially conscious approach to regulating online casinos. The Spelinspektionen is not as strict as the German authorities but not as lenient as the UKGC. For example, during COVID-19, the government limited bonuses to just 100 SEK but then subsequently scrapped these restrictions.
Swedish online casinos have to follow unique rules when it comes to bonuses. They are only allowed to offer welcome bonuses to new players. A player can only receive one welcome bonus. This makes it hard for gambling companies to retain players as many claim the welcome bonus and then jump to another site.
There are no limits on the size and types of welcome bonuses Swedish online casinos can offer. You can find 100% + deposit matches and hundreds of free spins up for grabs.
Fortunately, there are also no restrictions on the games Swedes can access. You can play the latest video slots, chase life-changing jackpots, spin the roulette wheel, take on the dealer in blackjack, and chat with real croupiers during live dealer games. All of these games are powered by top providers like Evolution, NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Microgaming, Ezugi, Playtech, and more!
The Swedish online casino gambling market is filled with lots of familiar brands, including LeoVegas, Mr Green, and Betway. These are all massive international brands with strong reputations, excellent bonuses, and more online casino games than you can handle!
Swedish Sports Betting
If sports betting is more your thing, you will be happy to know that sportsbooks are also legal in Sweden. The Spelinspektionen has legalized sports betting on all sports as long as the athletes are 18 +. Top Swedish sports betting sites like Betway, bet365, Mr Green, and William Hill let you bet on 35 + sports, including everything from football to tennis to handball to athletics to golf. No matter what your favorite sport is, you will find a market for it at Swedish sportsbooks.
Also, essentially all bet types are allowed, including 1X2, spread, parlays, and over/unders. You can bet on team and individual player performance. The only restricted markets we came across were events where the athletes are under 18, rules violation markets like the number of fouls in a game, and you can’t bet on Swedish football leagues below the top four tiers due to match-fixing concerns.
Just like online casinos, Swedish sports betting sites are only allowed to offer a single welcome bonus. The typical welcome bonus features free bets and bonus cash when you make your first deposit.
Many sportsbooks in Sweden have mobile apps which allow you to place bets on the go within seconds. They also have extensive live betting markets, streams, and fun features like early cash-out.
The Swedish Gambling Authority is constantly coming up with new rules and tweaking the regulations. The rules can be a bit pedantic at times; for example, you can’t bet on a penalty happening, but you can bet on a penalty being scored. Thankfully, the regulations only have a very minor impact on your betting experience.
Sweden Online Gambling At A Glance
There are 50 + legal online casinos and sports betting sites in Sweden. Private and international operators have been operating in Sweden since 2019, and all forms of online gambling are regulated by the Swedish Gambling Authority. Swedes can play all casino games, including online slots, blackjack, roulette, and more, as well as bet on all sports, including football, handball, MMA, and golf.
The Swedish online gambling industry is heavily regulated, and the government showed during COVID-19 that it is willing to crack down on operators. Some unique regulations include betting sites can only offer one welcome bonus to each player, all other promos are restricted. Autoplay on slot machines is banned, and so is betting on rule violations in sports.
🎰Sweden Online Gambling | |
---|---|
⚖️Status | Legal |
🏛️Regulatory Body | Spelinspektionen |
📜iGaming Licenses | Online casino, sports betting, lotteries, poker |
📖Number of Online Sportsbooks | 50 + |
⭐Top Brands | Betsson, William Hill, and bet365 |
🎰Number of Online Casinos | 50 + |
⭐Top Brands | LeoVegas, Betway, Mr Green, Frank Casino, and Lucky Casino |
💳Banking Methods | Credit and debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfer |
💵Currency | SEK |
📱Accessibility | Apps and mobile-optimized websites |
🎁Bonuses You Can Expect | Deposit match and free spins (only welcome bonuses are allowed) |
While the online betting market in Sweden has been liberalized, land-based casinos are still heavily regulated. There are currently four offline casinos in Sweden, including Casino Cosmopol Gothenburg, Casino Cosmopol Malmo, Casino Cosmopol Stockholm, and Casino Cosmopol Sundsvall. All of these casinos are run by Svenska Spel. The Gothenburg casino is by far the most popular and features 300 + slot machines and 40 + table games!
Svenska Spel also runs betting shops similar to what you find in the UK. At these betting shops, you can wager on different sports, including football, basketball, tennis, boxing, MMA, and horse racing. You can easily find Svenska Spel betting shops in major Swedish cities.
Bonuses & Promotions For Online Gambling in Sweden
While Swedes do have access to every form of legal gambling you could possibly hope for, the government has really clamped down on bonuses. Swedish online betting sites are only allowed to offer a player one welcome bonus. The Swedish Gambling Authority polices this rule closely and has issued large fines in the past to gambling operators who offered illegal bonuses.
Luckily, there is no restriction on the size of these bonuses, and large 100% deposit match offers, and free spins promos are common for online casinos. For example, a typical Swedish bonus might be 100% up to 5,000 SEK.
Swedish sportsbooks also have deposit match welcome bonuses, you can always find 100% matches. They also offer free bets; for example, if you deposit 100 SEK, you might get a 100 SEK bonus on any Allsvenskan game of your choice.
You can use this bonus cash, free spins, and free bets to indulge in gambling and win real cash. You get to use the betting site’s own money to wager! However, you need to complete the wagering requirement before you can cash out.
Before you claim any offer, closely read the terms and conditions because betting sites like to slip in T&Cs, which can drastically affect the bonuses’ value.
At Gambling Promo Codes, we give you instant access to exclusive Swedish online casino and sports betting bonuses that you won’t find anywhere else. All of our bonuses are up to date, have been personally verified, and are ready to be claimed now!
How Online Gambling in Sweden Works
Now the online gambling market has been liberalized in Sweden, betting sites work similarly to European sites. Here is a breakdown of what to expect when signing up and betting online in Sweden:
Registration & Verification
To register at a Swedish online casino or sportsbook, you must be 18 + and have a permanent address in Sweden. To sign up, you fill out a basic registration form where you share your personal information, including name, email, date of birth, and address.
Then to pass verification, you need to share your Swedish national identification number, upload a picture of your ID, and proof of address. You can also verify your account via BankID, which is a Swedish electronic ID verification service linked to your bank account.
Desktop/Mobile Play
All Swedish licensed betting platforms have mobile-optimized sites that you can access easily from virtually any browser. Swedish online casinos and sportsbooks offer a smooth mobile gaming experience, and many even have free apps you can download from the App Store or Google Play.
If you prefer to play via your desktop, you are also in luck. Swedish betting sites feature modern sites that are easy to navigate on your desktop and give you access to thousands of online casino games and betting markets for every sport you can imagine.
Banking Methods & Deposits
At Swedish betting sites, you can find a wide range of secure banking methods that allow you to effortlessly deposit, including:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Maestro
- Trustly
- Neteller
- Skrill
- eWire
- Nordea
- Paysafecard
- PugglePay
During COVID-19, the government placed a temporary deposit limit of 5,000 SEK per month. However, this limit has now been lifted, and Swedish players are able to deposit freely. To make a deposit at a Swedish betting site, simply:
- Sign in to your account
- Click the deposit button
- Select a payment method and enter the amount you wish to deposit
- Type in your payment details and confirm the deposit
Deposits are typically processed instantly and are free. This ensures that you can start playing right away.
Types of Betting Options
Swedish players have access to all casino games, including online slots, progressives, poker, video poker, blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and live casino games. There are no restrictions on game types in Sweden, however, autoplay is banned.
Swedish players can bet on all sports, including football, tennis, boxing, MMA, American football, basketball, motorsport, golf, and more. Swedes can also enjoy extensive betting markets, including bet types like 1X2, spread, props, over/unders, parlays, and futures. However, Swedes can not bet on sporting events where the athletes are under 18 and can not bet on rule violations like the number of yellow cards in a game.
Withdrawals
You can easily withdraw from a Swedish betting site via debit cards like Visa, Maestro, and Mastercard, via e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller, or via bank transfer. The process is exactly the same as depositing. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours, and there usually aren’t any fees. The Swedish Gaming Authority also recently banned reverse withdrawals, so once you submit a cash-out request, you can not cancel it.
Support
Swedish online casinos and sportsbooks offer professional customer support in Swedish, English, and other languages. You can virtually instantly connect with a real support agent via live chat or contact them via email.
Tips To Find Legit Online Gambling Sites in Sweden
To find you the best online gambling sites in Sweden, we put every casino and sportsbook through an extensive review process. We only recommend sites that excel based on these factors:
License – If a sportsbook or online casino does not have a Swedish license, they are automatically excluded from our review process. Sites that do not have a Swedish license are operating illegally, and it is too risky to play at them.
- Bonuses – At Swedish betting sites, you can only claim a welcome bonus, but these deals can still be lucrative. We look at the amount of bonus cash, free bets, and free spins on offer and study the terms and conditions. We always read the fine print and look at wagering requirements, game restrictions, min odds, and expiry dates.
- Gaming Experience – We break down the number of casino games you can play and look at game variety + providers. When analyzing a sportsbook, we explore the number of sports and bet types on offer and compare the odds to the rest of the market.
- Features – Does the online casino have massive progressive jackpots and 24/7 live chat? Does the sportsbook have live streams and boosted odds? When assessing a Swedish gambling site, we look for these extra features that give the platform an edge over competitors.
- Mobile Play – Is the site fully mobile optimized? Is there an app? Are all of the games available on mobile? We always test the gambling site on multiple different devices and browsers and fully explore the site to get a true feel for its mobile gaming experience.
Why Gambling Promo Codes?
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FAQs
Is gambling legal in Sweden?
Online gambling has been legal in Sweden since 2002. Swedes can legally play casino games like slot machines and blackjack, bet on sports, and play poker. There are now 50 + licensed Swedish gambling sites to choose from.
What is the minimum gambling age in Sweden?
The minimum gambling age in Sweden is 18, just like most other EU countries. However, to enter a Swedish land-based casino, you have to be at least 20 years old. Most Swedes prefer to play online anyway, so you aren’t missing out on much if you are under 20.
What casino games can I play in Sweden?
Swedish online casinos have thousands of slots as well as blackjack, poker, baccarat, roulette, sic bo, video poker, live dealer games, and virtually everything you can think of. All of the games have been tested and are powered by licensed and top providers.
Are there legal betting sites in Sweden?
There are legal betting sites in Sweden. Prior to 2019, the government-owned Svenska Spel had a monopoly on the market, but since the Gambling Act was passed, international gambling operators can now apply for a local license and operate legally in Sweden.
How can I find a good online gambling site in Sweden?
To find a good online gambling site in Sweden, you first need to confirm the site is licensed under the Spelinspektionen (Swedish Gambling Authority), has a generous welcome bonus, offers a wide range of slots and table games, fast customer support and quick cashouts.
Which are the best Swedish gambling sites for casino and betting?
The best Swedish gambling sites for casino and betting are LeoVegas, Betway, and Mr Green. These sites are fully licensed in Sweden, offer thousands of casino games, amazing odds for international sporting events, and always have fantastic welcome bonuses.
Are there bonuses for gambling online in Sweden?
There are bonuses for gambling online in Sweden, however, they are heavily restricted. Online Swedish casinos can only offer one welcome bonus per player. During COVID-19, the government capped bonuses at 100 SEK, but that regulation has been lifted.
Is online gambling safe?
Online gambling is safe when you play at a licensed site with tested games, a tested RNG, and secure payment methods. However, remember, when gambling, there is always a risk you will lose money as the games have a built-in house edge.
Can I win real money gambling online in Sweden?
You can win real money gambling online in Sweden. Swedish online casinos work just like betting sites in other countries, where you deposit cash, play real money games, and hopefully withdraw your winnings.