Sweden confirms ban on gambling with credit
The new measure will require operators to prevent and discourage gambling from being financed with credit.
Sweden.- The Riksdag has approved a proposed expansion of Sweden’s ban on offering gambling credit. The amendment to the Gambling Act 2018 will come into effect on May 1 2026.
Proposed last year, the move is intended to counteract debt among gamblers. While Sweden already had a ban on credit provided directly by a licensed gambling operator or their agents, players have been able to gamble using credit obtained from other sources. The proposed law is intended to close this gap.
The new extended ban means that licensees and gaming agents may not allow or participate in the financing of gambling with credit.
Licensees will be prohibited from accepting bets known to be financed with borrowed funds. Operators who receive online payments should block credit cards as a means of payment.
The change in legislation will also require licensees to take measures to prevent and discourage gambling from being financed with credit. This could take the form of signage at physical venues and notifications in online games.
Anyone who offers games with a Swedish gaming licence must review their operations and assess which measures are appropriate to prevent the games from being financed with credit, the Swedish gambling regulator Spelinspektionen said.
The legislative change applies to all forms of gambling that require a licence and regardless of how the game is provided. However, there is a possibility for Spelinspektionen to allow exemptions from the bans for certain operators with a licence for public benefit purposes. Games that do not require a licence, such as municipal registration lotteries, are not covered by the new provision.
