In a strategic effort to enhance consumer protection, Swedish authorities are once again focusing on the issue of credit gambling. The proposed legislation aims to expand the current credit gambling ban, with a primary focus on prohibiting operators from accepting any form of credit card payments, both online and in physical venues. Sweden credit gambling ban 2025
Although Sweden’s existing Gambling Act already restricts the use of credit for gambling with licensed operators, the government believes that these measures are insufficient for safeguarding players. Currently, the credit ban only covers credit directly issued by licensees, leaving other forms of credit—such as external or third-party credit—outside the scope of regulation. This loophole, critics argue, has contributed to a troubling association between problem gambling and over-indebtedness, prompting renewed calls for a comprehensive credit gambling ban.
The government underscores the importance of creating a “safer and more sustainable” gambling environment. As they state, “By preventing gambling from being financed with credit, the government wants to reduce the risk of over-indebtedness and protect consumers from ending up in financial difficulties.” The proposed credit gambling ban aims to address these issues head-on.
Under the new legislation, licensees and gambling intermediaries would be explicitly barred from entering into credit agreements related to gambling activities. This includes restrictions on collaborating with external credit providers involved in iGaming. Moreover, operators would be prohibited from accepting bets if they know the player is financing their gambling through credit or credit cards—both in-store and online.
A significant aspect of the proposed credit gambling ban is the outright prohibition of credit card payments. To facilitate compliance, the government recommends that operators adopt straightforward, cost-effective measures—such as leveraging existing technology—to block credit card transactions without affecting other sales. This approach aims to ensure the credit gambling ban is effectively enforced across the industry.
It’s worth noting that not all gambling activities would fall under this comprehensive credit gambling ban. The government has suggested that certain lotteries—such as subscription-based or additional games—may be exempt, especially when they serve charitable or non-political causes. The regulator, Spelinspektionen, would oversee these exemptions to ensure protective measures are in place that effectively limit credit usage.
The legislation is scheduled to come into effect from April 1, 2026, pending parliamentary approval. This move marks a continuation of Sweden’s ongoing efforts to regulate credit gambling more tightly.
This initiative builds on a similar push from Swedish authorities last year. In February 2024, a comparable legislative proposal was introduced, primarily targeting credit outside of licensee arrangements. The Swedish gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen, has expressed support for stricter regulations, including a full ban on credit card gambling. However, the regulator has emphasized the need for clearer definitions—particularly around what constitutes “credit”—to ensure effective enforcement of the credit gambling ban.
While the government announced these new proposals recently, Spelinspektionen has yet to publish an official stance on the latest legislative plans, signaling ongoing discussions about the scope and implementation of the credit gambling ban in Sweden. credit gambling ban 2025
