Am I allowed to gamble in Sweden?
Yes — but only from age 18 and only with operators holding a Swedish licence. Under the Gambling Act (2018:1138), gambling for money is legal only via operators licensed by the Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen). The minimum age is 18 for all licensed gambling. An operator may only offer a bonus on the first occasion you play — recurring bonuses are banned for most games. To exclude yourself, register at Spelpaus.se, which blocks you from all licensed gambling and gambling ads for the period you choose. Playing on an unlicensed site is not itself a crime for you as a player.
📋 The rules
- Gambling requires a Swedish licence from the Gambling Authority
- Age 18 for all licensed gambling
- A bonus may only be given on the first occasion
- Spelpaus.se: exclude yourself from all licensed gambling
- Operators have a duty of care and set deposit limits
🔓 Exceptions
- Some non-profit lotteries have their own rules and bonus exceptions
- State land-based games (e.g. via Svenska Spel) have specific rules
- Playing on an unlicensed site is not a crime for the player themselves
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Operating or promoting unlicensed gambling can bring up to 2 years prison, and operators can face sanction fees and lose their licence. For the player, the main risk is that money and winnings are not protected.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
How old must I be to gamble?
18 for all licensed gambling for money in Sweden.
How do I know an operator is legal?
It must hold a Swedish licence from the Gambling Authority. You can check the licence on the authority's website.
Can operators give me bonuses?
Only on the first occasion you play. Recurring bonuses are banned for most games.
How do I exclude myself from gambling?
Register at Spelpaus.se, which blocks you from all licensed gambling and gambling ads for the chosen period.
Is it illegal to play on a foreign site?
It is not a crime for you as a player, but your money and winnings are not protected there.
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