A new gambling law (SFS 2018:1138) will come into effect in Sweden on 1 January 2019 that will give Sweden a new, re-regulated gambling market. Some parts of the market will be exposed to competition and more operators will therefore be able to apply for licences. A licence is required when offering gambling for money.
The new gambling regulations in brief
- The gambling market is divided into the following parts:
- one part covering online gambling and betting
- one part covering gambling that has a public benefit, such as lotteries and land-based bingo,
- one part that is controlled by the Swedish state, such as land-based casinos and token machines.
- A gambling operator that has been granted a licence must protect players from excessive gambling, duty of care. This should include monitoring behaviours and, as necessary, helping players to limit their gambling.
- A bonus may only be offered by a licence holder on the first gambling occasion.
- Via the gambling authority, a player shall be able to exclude himself or herself from gambling with all licence holders in Sweden.
- The Swedish Gambling Authority shall be able to request the blocking of payments and determine that an online operator must display a warning message on websites that are not licensed in Sweden.
- A new criminal offense, cheating at gambling, is being introduced to deter match fixing.
- Betting will be forbidden on events featuring young people under the age of 18.
- Marketing of gambling must be moderate and not be specifically targeted at people under the age of 18 or individuals who have excluded themselves from gambling.
- Licensed operators shall pay a tax of 18% of the profit they make on gambling in Sweden. Gambling that has a public benefit shall remain free of tax.
Applying for a licence
Applications for licences may be submitted from 1 August 2018, application documents are available on our website (in Swedish). All documents and information are in Swedish. The application and all documentation for a licence must be in writing and in Swedish in accordance with the gambling regulation. Make sure to use the latest version of the application documents.
Points to consider
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A licence will only be awarded to:
- someone who has the knowledge, experience and organization required to operate the business,
- someone who can be assumed to operate the business in accordance with laws and regulations applicable to the business, and who are otherwise considered to be suitable to operate the business.
According to the gambling law and regulation licences will not be awarded for:
- Betting on events in which the predominant portion of participants are under the age of 18.
- Betting on events or activities that are offensive or inappropriate from a public point of view.
Other
Due to the new regulation, the Swedish Gambling Authority has decided on new regulations. These apply to games that have been granted a licens from January 1, 2019.