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Before signing up with an online casino, there are a few important questions to answer: Do they accept Swedish kronor deposits? Is their site translated into Swedish? Do they possess a Swedish gambling license? These are the points that will determine whether the casino seriously aims to serve Swedish players.
Gambling Legislation in Sweden
Internet gambling is legalized in Sweden, but only through a licensed, state-controlled casino. In fact, the only official licenser used to be Svenska Spel, a state monopoly on land and internet gaming in Sweden. With the revision of Sweden's Lottery Act in 2002, Svenska Spel could expand from its online operations to poker, bingo, and scratch cards. Casino games have also grown in popularity since.
The EU applied immense pressure on Sweden to open up its market for online gambling services provided by operators in other member states of the EU. However, until now, the Swedish government had stood firm and invited foreign operators serious legal battles for their exclusion from providing their services to players in Sweden. The EU technically asked Sweden and a few other countries in 2007 to liberalize their gambling market and allow freedom of services, but this was not approved. So, once again, Svenska Spel monopoly.
Later, in 2012, some corners in the government wanted to introduce more competitiveness into the online betting market by opening up foreign operators for licensing. But progress was slow. When in 2015 the government indicated that it had no intention of ending Svenska Spel's monopoly, everyone was aware that in the near future no root-and-branch reform would be planned. Meanwhile, Swedish players migrated more and more to online casinos operated overseas, which continued to enhance their games available.
Swedish Gambling Regulation
It has been a massive shift in the gambling industry in Sweden with a new act that reshaped the market overnight. Online casino operators are required to hold a license from the Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen) if they are to be legally permitted to offer gambling services to gamers in Sweden.
According to this new law, it is specifically banned for any operator to offer gambling services to Swedish residents without a legitimate license issued by Spelinspektionen. We mention only the casinos that have been licensed Swedish here on this website. You may come across an online casino not mentioned here, however. It is compulsory in such cases to check whether it holds a legitimate Swedish license before playing.
Most Important Facts About the Swedish Gambling Act
Let us get to the chase of what you need most with the new gambling law in Sweden and what this does for you, the player. Most of the big boys like LeoVegas, Mr Green, Unibet, and Cherry Casino already have Swedish licenses, so if you have accounts with them, no problem. These casinos will do their best on their end so as to enable smooth play.
If you are a customer at an internet casino that does not have a Swedish license, then you will be notified of any alteration in service. If they choose not to apply for a Swedish license, then the only option they will provide for you is to withdraw whatever funds you have left in your account. You will no longer be able to play there.
Some of the other most important rules casinos must comply with when accepting Swedish players are:
- Swedish players must be allowed to pay via BankID.
- All players must be allowed to have personal deposit limits.
- Net wins and losses must be displayed on log in by casinos.
- Account closing must be marked on all licensed casinos.
- A single bonus may be active at a single casino for players (no welcome packages for Swedes anymore).
The Popularity of EU-Based Casinos Among Swedish Players
Just like in most other European countries, Sweden boasts an enormous number of dedicated players. Lottery games, betting, and casino games are popular with all. But most Swedish players yearning for something new turn to international casinos due to the strict gambling law and state monopoly in Sweden.
There is no fear among Swedes of approaching offshore internet gambling operators to fulfill their requirements. But because foreign casinos are not regulated under consumer protection clauses in the Swedish legislation, players get exploited by fraudulent operators. That is why Swedish players prefer to play at casinos operated by reputed jurisdictions like Malta and the UK.
One of the main reasons why Swedish players are drawn to EU-based foreign gambling websites is that the Swedish language is supported on the majority of them. Highly regarded commissions such as the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and the UK Gambling Commission regulating them, and the acceptance of Swedish kronor deposits and withdrawals—another massive plus for Swedish-based players—are some of the other reasons.