Sweden gambling statistics: participation, regulation, and industry data

Gambling industry revenue in Sweden

Sweden's licensed gambling market generated SEK 28.2 billion (approximately €2.5 billion) in gross gaming revenue in 2025, a 1.3% increase over SEK 27.85 billion in 2024 (Spelinspektionen, 2026). Growth was driven entirely by the online segment, while legacy products such as state lotteries and land-based casinos declined. The top 10 licence holders generate approximately 73% of total turnover (Spelinspektionen, 2026). The gambling tax was raised from 18% to 22% of GGR effective July 2024, a move that has intensified industry debate about competitiveness versus the unlicensed market. For comparison, see our Germany gambling statistics.

Online gambling's dominance continues to grow, now accounting for roughly two-thirds of all licensed revenue. The closure of Sweden's last physical casino, Casino Cosmopol, in mid-2025 — with a parliamentary ban on land-based casinos taking effect from January 2026 — marks the completion of Sweden's shift to a digital-first gambling market.

How many people gamble in Sweden?

Spelinspektionen's annual "Allmänheten om spel" survey (November 2024, 1,600+ respondents) found that 71% of Swedes had gambled for money in the previous twelve months, with 33% gambling every week (Spelinspektionen, 2025). A separate 2025 survey by Casinofeber found that 18% played online casino and 24% placed online bets during the year.

Football betting leads among sports bettors (63% of those who bet on sport), while slot games are the most popular product among online casino players (49% preference). The gender split in betting skews male (62%), while online casino is more balanced (55% male) (Casinofeber, 2025). The average player age spans the 30s and 40s.

Problem gambling in Sweden

A recent government-commissioned survey published in March 2026 found that problem gambling prevalence in Sweden is declining overall, though the report noted "scope for improvement" remains (Spelinspektionen / Government Commission, 2026). The Swedish longitudinal gambling study (Swelogs), conducted by the Public Health Agency (Folkhälsomyndigheten), provides the most robust epidemiological data using a stratified random sample of 6,720+ participants aged 18–84 years.

Sweden's national self-exclusion system, Spelpaus, had approximately 136,000 registered users as of March 2026, equivalent to 1.6% of the adult population (Spelinspektionen, 2026). However, research indicates that around half of self-excluders continue to gamble, mainly through unlicensed operators (Spelinspektionen, 2026).

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) shows the strongest evidence for reducing gambling harm in Sweden. Meta-analyses cited in the 2026 government survey found that CBT reduces gambling frequency, extent, and addiction symptoms compared with control groups. Understanding how RTP rates shape the odds against players can also help individuals recognise the mathematical reality of sustained gambling losses.

Treatment and help-seeking

Sweden's treatment system is integrated into the public healthcare system. The national gambling helpline Stödlinjen (020-819 100) provides free, anonymous counselling. Spelpaus.se allows nationwide self-exclusion from all licensed operators with a single registration. Local healthcare services (vårdcentraler) and addiction treatment units provide CBT-based treatment for gambling disorder. The Public Health Agency (Folkhälsomyndigheten) conducts ongoing population research through Swelogs. Industry marketing spend increased roughly ninefold from 2000 to 2024, peaking in 2018 before declining following re-regulation (Government Commission, 2026).

Sweden gambling regulation

Sweden re-regulated its gambling market on 1 January 2019, replacing the previous state monopoly with a competitive licensing system under the Gambling Act (2018:1138). Spelinspektionen oversees all licensing, supervision, and enforcement. Both domestic and foreign operators can apply for Swedish licences under equal conditions. The state retains ownership of Svenska Spel (lotteries, formerly Casino Cosmopol) and ATG (horse racing).

Key regulatory features include mandatory B2B software supplier licensing (since 2023), a 22% GGR tax (since July 2024), a credit card gambling ban (April 2025), advertising time restrictions (no gambling ads during children's programming), bonus limitations (welcome bonuses only, once per operator), and the Spelpaus national self-exclusion register. Channelisation stood at approximately 85% in 2024, below the government's 90% target (Spelinspektionen, 2025).

Online gambling in Sweden

Online gambling is the core of Sweden's market, generating SEK 18+ billion in 2025 — approximately 64% of total licensed GGR. The segment grew 3.3% year-on-year while land-based products declined (Spelinspektionen, 2026). As of 2025, approximately 588 operators were active in the Swedish market, though the top 10 account for approximately 73% of turnover. Leading operators include Svenska Spel (state-owned), Betsson, Kindred (Unibet), LeoVegas, and ATG.

The channelisation debate remains central: Spelinspektionen estimates 85% of gambling occurs within the licensed system (2024), but the 15% outside — concentrated in online casino — represents a persistent policy challenge. The 2024 tax increase and credit card ban have intensified industry arguments that stricter regulation pushes price-sensitive players to unlicensed offshore sites.

Young people and gambling

Gambling among young Swedes is rising and is a major policy concern. A 2024 Spelinspektionen report found that gambling participation among 18–24-year-olds has increased, and data from the Public Health Agency shows that 34% of 16–17-year-olds had gambled in the past year in 2021, up from 20% in 2015 (Folkhälsomyndigheten, 2021). Risky gambling behaviours among males aged 14 doubled from 5% in 2021 to 9% in 2025, while among high-school-aged males the figure rose from 7% to 14% (Spelinspektionen youth report, 2025).

Over 25,000 of the ~117,000 Spelpaus self-exclusion users in October 2024 were aged 18–24 (Spelinspektionen, 2025). Young men aged 23–24 in Spelpaus were notably more likely to have used high-interest loans and delved into savings to fund gambling. Minors' most common gambling type was online casino, with accounts held at both licensed and unlicensed sites.

The legal gambling age in Sweden is 18. Spelinspektionen found that marketing exposure is pervasive among young people, with gambling ads encountered daily across television, radio, social media (including TikTok and YouTube), and sports podcasts.

Gambling harm and support

Gambling disorder in Sweden carries significant financial, mental health, and relationship harms. The 2026 government-commissioned survey confirmed links between problem gambling and financial distress, social isolation, and psychological harm. The gambling helpline Stödlinjen and the Spelpaus self-exclusion system are the two primary national harm-reduction tools. Similar challenges are faced by Germany's regulated market, where youth gambling disorder has also risen sharply.

Key support services include Stödlinjen (020-819 100, free and anonymous), Spelpaus.se (national self-exclusion from all licensed operators), local addiction treatment services (via healthcare system), and the Folkhälsomyndigheten's Swelogs research programme. Gambling disorder treatment is available through the public healthcare system, with CBT as the evidence-based frontline approach.

For further guidance on recognising and managing gambling-related harm, visit our responsible gambling hub.