Best Online Casinos in Sweden

Online gambling is one of the biggest and most popular entertainment markets available today. While it seems many across the globe want their share of the entertainment pie, it’s not always possible. Some regions have yet to open virtual doors to the gaming industry.

The Swedish Gambling market has an interesting history of gambling, very similar to that of the Netherlands. On this page, we take a look at the Swedish gambling market, top casinos, the history of gambling and the types of games available to Swedish players. If you want to learn more about online casinos and gambling in Sweden, you’re in the right place. Keep reading to learn all there is to know about current legislation and available gaming entertainment.

When it comes to the gambling laws and regulations of Swedish gaming, there was a time many believed change would never be possible. For many decades, the Swedish gambling market was a state-run monopoly. 

This all changed in 2019 with the implementation of the Swedish Gambling Act (SFS 2018:1138). Along with the new legislation came a new Swedish Gaming Authority (SGA). Spelinspektionen (Swedish name) has been in charge of licensing and regulations within the online gambling industry. 

The primary focus for the SGA is issuing licenses and overseeing all licensees to ensure a safe and secure betting experience for all players. 

The gaming market here is still quite new, but one of the biggest changes was moving away from a state-run monopoly to a foreign operator-friendly market. Land-based gambling is also legal here and run by Svenska Spel. The land-based gaming options include all the casinos and sports betting locations. 

One of the main requirements for gambling in land-based regions is having a physical address which means foreigners can’t enjoy land-based casinos and sports betting entertainment. One of the most recent regulatory changes is that operators and game creators now require a gambling software operating permit. The main purpose of this permit is to increase player safety. The new permit requirement came into force on the 1^st of July, 2023.

It’s been over four years since the Swedish gambling market got regulated. And like any other regulatory body, the gaming authorities have had many issues and growing pains to deal with. 

Today you get to enjoy various forms of legal online gambling entertainment from different providers. It seems like just yesterday, we were stuck in the era of state-run gambling entertainment, which lasted over eighty years. 

The history of Swedish gaming entertainment dates all the way back to 1934 when the state-run organisation AB Tipstjänst launched and started offering legal sports betting. Four short years later, the state-operated company Penninglotteriet started the national lottery. 

Then in 1994, land-based gambling gets legalised, seeing to a merger between AB Tipstjänst and Penninglotteriet to create Svenska Spel. 

In 1999 the Cosmopol subsidiary gets launched, and in 2002, online gambling gets legalised with sites operated by Svenska Spel. Over a decade of state-run gaming, entertainment passes before the trouble starts. In 2014 the European Union sues in an effort to open the Swedish gambling market to foreign operators. 

From here, the process of new legislation gets pushed to priority status. And finally, it led to the Gambling Act of 2018 being passed. With the new gaming legislation comes a new gaming authority, Spelinspektionen, and the beginning of a foreigner-friendly online gambling market. 

In 2022 more legislative changes are made, which would see to it that gaming providers and operators now require a gambling software operating permit.

One thing you can be sure of is that there are ample entertaining betting options and games to enjoy. Sports betting and the lottery are still considered the most popular types of gaming activity. With all the new regulatory changes, there is ample room and opportunity for growth within the online casino market. 

If you’re curious about online gaming entertainment or other types of betting options available on Swedish Gambling sites, then keep reading. 

Online Casinos Gaming

The online casino industry is still in its growing phase after years of being under the thumb of a state-run monopoly. Thanks to the EU urging change, the new legislation allowed for broadening the scope and possibilities of the online gambling market. Allowing foreign operators to apply for licensing alongside locals. 

Since 2019 there has been an influx of online casinos and game variety. Players can explore the best and most popular slots, table games, live dealer variants and more at top Swedish casinos. For slot players, there’s everything from the classics to new video slots and jackpot titles. It comes as no surprise that in the world of online gambling, slots are a firm favourite. 

You can still enjoy the top table game variants of Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat and more. These games can also be enjoyed in a more immersive gaming environment with the Live Casino availability. For live players, games are streamed in real time, with a live dealer hosting the game. Other game options include instant win titles like scratch cards and keno. 

Land-based Casinos

Despite the new regulations and gaming authority introduced for online gaming, the land-based gaming industry is still under the regulation of Svenska Spel. This applies to all land-based casinos and sports betting facilities. There are four casinos and a variety of sports betting venues to explore. 

Players here can legally enjoy wagering on sports, poker, horse racing and other games. One thing to note is that the variety of table games is slightly more limited than that offered by the online gaming industry. 

Sports Betting

Sports betting remains one of the most popular forms, with stats indicating that over 20% of Swedish gamblers participate in betting on their favourite sports. There are plenty of sports markets to bet on, but Football is currently one of the most popular sports markets to wager on. 

It’s funny to notice how player preferences vary from one region to the next. In Sweden, more players prefer betting on sports than participating in other online casino gaming variants. 

With the new gambling laws in place, there has been an increase in big sportsbook operators applying for licensing and entering the market. Players have gone from having only two options to choose from to over a dozen. 

For sports bettors, there are several options of sports to bet on at top sportsbooks with the most advanced betting features. You can look forward to pre-made and live betting options on popular sports like Football. 

Horse Racing

Aside from the other sports, you can also enjoy your fair share of horseracing betting in Sweden. There are ample exciting races taking place annually with legal operators ready with exciting bet options. 

The Swedish Horseracing Authority, Svensk Galopp, oversees the horse racing and betting options. It is the ruling authority for Arabian and thoroughbred racing. 

Lottery

The lottery also falls among the most popular gaming activities available in Sweden. There are over 48% of Swedish residents who take part in the lottery annually. With the new gambling laws, there are even more lottery options online to choose from. Players have the opportunity to buy tickets for a number of local and international draws. These are available on your desktop and mobile device. 

Online Poker

Before 2019 Swedish players had only one option for online poker. Luckily, the new regulations opened the industry up to leading poker sites from across the globe. Both online and offline, Poker is quite popular in the region, and Sweden has been known to produce some of the best World Series of Poker players. For online players, there are different single-cash games and tournaments running around the clock. Tournaments can be enjoyed on popular poker variants like Texas Hold’Em, Omaha Poker and Stud Poker. 

Fantasy Sports

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) does not fall under the regulated online gambling forms within Sweden. That being said, Swedish gambling regulators consider it a game of skill rather than a form of gambling. Swedish players have the opportunity to take part in the most exciting DFS competitions without fear of prosecution. While there are no laws for regulated DFS yet, the hope is that licensing might soon be added. With DFS, you get to draft your own fantasy teams in sports and get awarded weekly points based on the real-life performance of these players.

Aside from the most exciting game variants, players also get to enjoy a wide range of exciting promotional offers. You can take advantage of the different bonuses and promotions to boost your gaming or betting experience. 

There are different bonuses available in every casino and sportsbook. Here are some of the most common promotions Swedish online casinos has to offer: 

For the most secure betting experience, you want to make sure you’re playing at a regulated site that provides you with trusted payment methods. The top Swedish gambling sites have different secure payment methods available for deposits and withdrawals. 

These payment methods make use of the best security measures, including SSL data encryption, to ensure transactions get performed safely. 

Here are some of the most trusted payment methods you’ll find at online casinos in Sweden:

Credit/Debit Cards:

There are credit and debit card options available for deposits and withdrawals. These are quite popular as they are well-known, and players know how to use them. You can deposit or withdraw using Visa, Mastercard, or Maestro credit or debit cards. 

eWallets:

If you’re the type of player that likes everything at a much faster speed, then you might want to look into the e-wallet options. These are highly secure and provide rapid deposits and speedy payouts. Popular e-wallets available here include PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill. 

Mobile Payments:

With the improvement of technology, you can enjoy gaming at home or on the go via your device of choice. This also makes payment methods like Apple Pay and Google Pay ideal among Android and iOS bettors. 

Bank Transfer:

For more straightforward options, there is always Bank Transfer. It’s been around for ages and is considered a trusted payment method for deposits and withdrawals worldwide. Withdrawals may take slightly longer, and fees may apply. Bank Transfer options include Wire Transfer and Instant Banking. 

Cryptocurrency: 

Another type of payment method that is growing more popular by the day is depositing and withdrawing using cryptocurrency. The payment methods offer additional security, the option of a more anonymous gaming experience and much faster deposits and withdrawals. Popular cryptocurrencies to choose from include Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum and Dogecoin.

One of the most important things for regulators and players in Sweden is a safe gaming environment. You will already have access to safer gaming sites and game options, thanks to the latest regulations. Aside from that, responsible gaming is promotions and operators are required to assist with limiting tools and self-exclusion options.

With Swedish gambling sites, you get access to different resources and measures to enjoy a more responsible gaming experience. If you, however, ever need to reach out for assistance, there are dedicated organisations that can assist.
Here are some options you can utilise:

GamblingTherapy.org

One of the globally available options is Gambling Therapy. The organisation started in 1971 as residential care and expanded to cover more areas. The service, under the guidance of Gordon Moody, provides both emotional support and practical advice. It is one of the most well-known and trusted gambling therapy services available.

With Gambling Therapy, you can choose from different options, which include online help or residential treatment. If you’re not sure which is the most suitable option, you can talk to the team, who will gladly assist in getting you the right type of assistance.

Telephone number: –
Website: https://www.gamblingtherapy.org/

Spelberoendes

Spelberoendes is a national association of gamblers providing assistance and counselling to those who are struggling or could potentially be developing a gambling problem. They have over 20 years of experience in both preventing and assisting in the recovery of problem gambling. You can access different counselling options, such as Individual Counseling, Group Meetings, taking a self-assessment, and learning more about gambling addiction.

Telephone number: Stockholm – 08-741 26 94 / Gothenburg – 031-704 14 41 / Malmö – 072-557 99 19
Website: https://spelberoende.se/

Stödlinjen

This organisation provides around-the-clock assistance to anyone who experiences problem gambling. They offer advice, support, and counselling. Stödlinjen is operated by the Centre for Psychiatric research in collaboration with the Swedish Ministry of Health and Social Affairs.

Telephone number: 020819100
Website: https://stodlinjen.se/en