Up until 2018, online gambling was under the state monopoly, meaning that only state-owned casinos were allowed to legally operate in the country. Although foreign sites still accepted players from Sweden, there was no way for them to apply for a proper license and move outside of the grey zone.

The new law that was passed in 2018 changed all this as Sweden decided to allow interested operators, foreign and domestic alike, to apply for domestic licenses with the Swedish Gambling Authority. This decision by the Swedish government had a twofold goal: to force out all unlicensed operators from the country and to offer better protection for the players by closely and vigilantly monitoring the conduct of the licensed ones.

The license application process was open to online casinos in August, 2018 while the actual law came into force on January 1, 2019. The first batch of licenses was issued on September 30, 2018,  with things really picking up speed in December, with several dozen online casinos being awarded licenses to legally operate in Sweden.

The license application process was open to online casinos in August, 2018 while the actual law came into force on January 1, 2019. The first batch of licenses was issued on September 30, 2018,  with things really picking up speed in December, with several dozen online casinos being awarded licenses to legally operate in Sweden.

Spelinspektion, formerly known as Loteriinspektionen, is the main authority for all things related to gambling in Sweden. With the gambling re-regulation that came into effect in 2019, the scope of their powers and duties has been extended. The Swedish Gambling Authority makes sure all gambling activities, online and otherwise, are conducted in a safe, secure, and fair manner.

According to the new law, operators can now apply for one of six different licenses, depending on the type of activity they’re involved with. These licenses cover a full spectrum of gambling activities, from lotteries and betting to bingo, casino games, and slots. Depending on the license, the cost varies between 400,000 and 700,000 SEK.

The change to the Swedish Gambling Act is very important for the players in several aspects. Primarily, licensed Sweden online casinos have to meet fairly strict criteria to even get a license in the first place. After this, operators need to make sure their conduct always aligns with Swedish laws, ensuring safer and fairer gaming environment.

Another important thing players should know about Sweden online casinos is that everyone has the right to claim the welcome bonus. Even if someone has played at a particular casino before the regulation, Sweden observes all licensed online casinos as new entities, meaning players will need to re-register, which allows them to take advantage of a welcome bonus once again.

On the flip side, online casinos are no longer allowed to offer other bonuses and free spins after the welcome bonus, so Swedish players don’t get to enjoy some of the perks available to players from other jurisdictions playing at same casino brands.

The Swedish Gambling Authority makes sure that all Swedish online casinos offer a completely safe and fair environment for the players. Casinos are thoroughly checked during the licensing process and they have to meet a host of criteria to be allowed to operate in the country. Once there, they must keep their business conduct in line with laws and regulations if they want to avoid fines and keep their gambling licenses.