Sweden’s Gaming Regulator, Not Operators, To Determine Who Has a Gambling Problem

Sweden is strengthening its responsible gambling framework, giving Spelinspektionen new authority from October 1 to set detailed requirements for operators’ action plans aimed at preventing excessive gambling.

Currently, the Swedish Gambling Act obliges licensed operators to discourage excessive gambling on an individual basis. However, the specific methods for achieving this have been left to operator discretion, resulting in inconsistent approaches across the industry. Under the new rules, Spelinspektionen will set standardized guidelines for all operators, ensuring a more uniform and effective approach to responsible gambling.

The regulator will be able to require operators to include in their plans:

• Detailed measures for monitoring and identifying players at risk;

• Steps for intervention and support of individuals showing harmful behavior;

• Clear reporting processes to ensure accountability and compliance.

This structured framework aims to eliminate ambiguity and strengthen industry-wide prevention of gambling-related harm.

“There must be order in the gaming market," said Minister for Financial Markets Niklas Wykman. “The new requirement should lead to more detailed action plans, making it clear how gambling companies take responsibility for counteracting gambling-related risks.”

Wykman emphasized that these new measures would help ensure that gambling companies actively mitigate risks and protect consumers, reinforcing Spelinspektionen’s regulatory power to safeguard public welfare.

The update is part of Sweden’s broader effort to tighten gambling regulations and enhance consumer protection.
Recent government actions include:

• A proposed ban on credit-based gambling transactions (effective April 2025);

• Harsher penalties for violations of the Money Laundering Act;

• Expanded oversight powers for Spelinspektionen to ensure compliance.

These developments underline Sweden’s determination to build a safer, more transparent gambling market — one where regulatory oversight continues to grow stronger and operators are held to higher standards of responsibility.