The era of traditional, physical casinos in Sweden is drawing to a close. The Riksdag, the Swedish parliament, has made a decision to end casino gambling operating under the state’s exclusive license model. This ruling effectively mandates the cessation of all in-person casino operations by 2026. Sweden Land-Based Casino
This development, while anticipated, confirms the fate of Casino Cosmopol in Stockholm. This establishment was the last of the four previously state-run casinos, which were operated by the former state-run monopoly, Svenska Spel. The closure of the Stockholm casino follows the path of the nation’s other casinos located in Sundsvall, Gothenburg, and Malmo, all of which have already ceased operations. This leaves just under 240 employees at the sole remaining venue in Stockholm facing an uncertain future.
Svenska Spel, which historically held a monopoly on land-based casino gaming within the country, has stated its reluctant acceptance of the decision. Ola Enquist, the CEO of Casino Cosmopol, commented on the situation, declaring: “We share the Government’s assessment and have been prepared for the Riksdag’s decision.”
The government’s decision to close the casinos was primarily driven by a decline in both visitor numbers and profitability. Casino Cosmopol generated SEK165 million ($16.3 million) in 2024, representing a significant 65% decrease from the previous year.
In contrast to the struggles faced by Sweden’s land-based casinos, Svenska Spel’s lottery division, Tur, achieved significant success, securing over SEK5.14 billion ($510 million) in the same year. This stark contrast highlights a clear shift in consumer behavior towards online gaming. The closure of in-person casinos is expected to further accelerate this trend, driving continued growth in the digital gambling sector as consumers increasingly favor online channels.
Despite the Stockholm-based casino remaining open “until further notice,” discussions regarding its liquidation are already underway. Reflecting on the impending closure, Enquist added, “Nevertheless, it is, of course, emotionally tough because it means that an era will end when the casino in Stockholm eventually closes.”
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While the government’s decision is a reaction to the significant shift in gambling habits among its citizens, it has also drawn scrutiny from Sweden’s gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen. The regulator expresses concerns that the closure of Casino Cosmopol could lead to an increase in illegal gambling activities. However, as of now, the regulator has not issued an official response to the Riksdag’s decision. The announcement has also prompted the Swedish Police Authority to voice concerns, suggesting the need for additional funding to effectively monitor and control unauthorized gambling.
Effectively, as of January 1, 2026, there will be no physical casino premises operating in Sweden. Furthermore, new operators will be unable to obtain a casino license. The Riksdag’s proposal also included an anticipated update to the country’s Act on Penalties for Money Laundering Offences, scheduled for July 1, 2025. This update is expected to grant the Swedish Gambling Authority greater access to customer and business gambling data.
Ultimately, while the decision may be unpopular among some Swedes who enjoy visiting casinos, the closure of Casino Cosmopol signifies a notable cultural and economic turning point for Sweden’s gaming landscape. For the time being, casino patrons can still enjoy in-person table games and roulette. However, it is likely that they will eventually need to transition to live-dealer online casino platforms to continue engaging in these pastimes. Sweden Land-Based Casino
