ATG says progress being made against unlicensed gambling in Sweden
The latest report suggests an improvement in channelisation.
Sweden.- The horseracing betting operator AB Trav och Galopp (ATG) has suggested that progress is being made against unlicensed gambling in Sweden. The horse racing betting operator noted a decline in illegal betting activity and improvements in channelisation in its latest report.
According to ATG’s estimates, Sweden’s channelisation rate reached between 72 and 84 per cent in Q4 2025, compared with 69 to 82 per cent in the same quarter of 2024. While this marks an improvement, it still remains below the government’s target.
ATG cautioned that Sweden’s unlicensed sector is still substantial, with net revenue estimated at SEK 3.6bn–7.3bn (€330-€660m).
“Channelisation is moving in the right direction, but there is still a long way to go to reach the state’s goal,” said Tobias Melin, ATG’s Head of Analysis. He added: “At the same time, we see how unlicensed sites use the same platforms, payment solutions and sometimes even exist despite decisions from authorities. This shows that the regulations need to be tightened to really shut out the unlicensed operators.”
See also: Swedish gambling regulator proposes measures operators can take to prevent unlicensed gaming
The report highlighted that 14 of the 20 most-visited unlicensed gaming sites used the same platform providers as licensed operators. Meanwhile, eight offered direct transactions with Swedish banks, and five were listed on the Swedish gambling regulator Spelinspektionen’s black list.
The government’s own figures from 2025 found sports betting channelisation at 92–96 per cent, but online casino channelisation lagging behind at 72–82 per cent. The Swedish Online Gaming Association (BOS) argues that tight regulation is driving players toward unlicensed sites.
New Swedish gambling legislation is expected to close a “loophole” that hindered Spelinspektionen’s enforcement options. It will eliminate the “directorial criterion” that required online gambling to be specifically aimed at the Swedish market to be considered illegal gambling. Instead, the regulator will be able to take action against any gambling product accessible in Sweden.
