Key points:
- The Swedish Government has launched a review of the Gambling Act to strengthen regulations against unlicensed operators
- BOS has long pushed for an amendment to prevent offshore operators from bypassing licensing requirements
The Swedish Government has announced a review of the country’s Gambling Act, aiming to strengthen regulations against unlicensed operators.
The move follows calls from the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS), which has advocated for amendments to close legal loopholes allowing offshore gambling companies to target Swedish consumers.
Under current law, unlicensed operators can legally accept Swedish players if they avoid using Swedish currency or language. This has led to a rise in unregulated gambling, as many Swedish consumers are comfortable using English and the euro.
BOS has argued that this weakens consumer protections and undermines the integrity of the country’s licensed gambling market.
To address these concerns, the government has appointed a state investigator to explore how the law can be expanded to effectively exclude unlicensed operators.
One proposed change includes revising the ‘directional criterion,’ which currently determines whether an online gambling service requires a Swedish licence.
Good to know: The investigator’s findings and recommendations are expected to be presented by 17 September 2025
BOS Secretary General Gustaf Hoffstedt welcomed the government’s decision, stating: “We have advocated for an amendment to the Gambling Act in this regard ever since the reregulation of the Swedish gambling market in 2019.
“It became apparent fairly immediately after the reregulation that the gambling licence market was leaking like a sieve. This was partly because many unlicensed gambling companies were able to continue to accept Swedish gambling customers, as long as they avoided the Swedish language and the use of Swedish currency.
“The day before yesterday, we reminded the Government of this in a letter, and now we are being listened to. It is very welcome.”
Minister of Financial Markets Niklas Wykman reinforced the government's commitment to tackling the issue, stating: “We will stop rogue gambling companies that exploit vulnerable consumers. We will do this by amending the Gambling Act so that it becomes more appropriate. This is one of the single most important measures for a safer and healthier gambling market.”
