Swedish gambling market rules: who can gamble in Sweden?
There are clear laws and rules on how gambling can be offered on the Swedish gambling market. Since 2019, the gambling market has been regulated, which means that operators offering gambling must follow certain rules. But what does this mean for players and who is even allowed to gamble for money in Sweden?
Disclaimer
In general, it is worth remembering that the Swedish gambling legislation mainly applies to operators, i.e. various gambling companies and casinos. It is these companies that are obliged to comply with the legislation, which is there to protect consumers.
As a player, you have the choice to either play in Sweden or go abroad to play. There is nothing in Swedish laws or regulations that prohibits gambling abroad.
But what about the Swedish gambling market, when it comes to gambling for money? Who can gamble in Sweden?
BankID required to play online casino games
The most important rule in the Gambling Act relates to the legitimisation of players. All operators are obliged to check their players, so that only authorised players are given the chance to play. This is usually done by checking an ID document.
There are several Swedish casino with BankID, which has made it possible for players to use an e-ID to play. There are alternatives to BankID, but this has become the most widely used authentication app. It is convenient for players because it is very simple.
One of the things they check is that each player has the correct age. This means that a Swedish personal identity number is usually required to be able to play for money in Sweden, as only people with a Swedish personal identity number can install BankID. For foreign tourists or people who have not become citizens, this can be a problem if you want to play at an online casino or online gaming company.
Self-exclusion via Game Pause
One reason why operators are required to identify their players is that only authorised players should be able to play. This means that anyone who is suspended via Spelpaus should not be able to access gambling.
A gambling suspension is a national register of suspended players, who have actively chosen to activate this suspension themselves. It is a way of protecting oneself from gambling for a certain period of time. A suspension is fixed and cannot be cancelled before the specified time is up. It is simply a safety mechanism that prevents you from gambling on poker and betting, baccarat or other games.
The Swedish Gambling Act regulates gambling in Sweden
In Sweden, all Swedish laws and regulations regarding the gambling market are summarised in what is known as the Gambling Act. It was introduced on 1 January 2019, but has since been updated and amended on several occasions. This is to further strengthen protection.
For example, there is currently a proposal for a ban on gambling on credit in Sweden. The Government is behind this proposal, which would mean, among other things, that you can no longer pay with your credit card at gaming companies or casinos. This would mean that players who can only pay by credit card can no longer gamble in Sweden.
It is also worth noting that it is the Swedish Gambling Authority, the authority linked to the gambling market, that implements and controls gambling legislation in Sweden. On the other hand, it is the politicians who enact the laws and make any updates, via proposals that are later voted on in the Riksdag.
