Spelinspektionen, also known as the Swedish Gambling Authority is the Government Agency that is responsible for regulating the gambling and gaming industry in Sweden.
Spelinspektionen was formed on 1st January 2019, as a result of the re-regulation of the Swedish gambling market. They are responsible for overseeing, licensing and regulating both land based and online gambling in Sweden. Also referred to as the Swedish Gambling Authority, they are directly tasked with ensuring that gaming and gambling activities in Sweden are legal, safe, and reliable.
Top Online Casinos Licensed by Spelinspektionen
Below you will find a list of some of the best online casinos that are licensed and regulated to operate in Sweden by Spelinspektionen.
<EXPANDABLE AFFILIATE TABLE WITH ALL CASINOS UNDER THIS REGULATOR>
About Spelinspektionen
Before the formation of Spelinspektionen in 2019, the gambling market in Sweden was primarily regulated by two state-owned entities, these being:
- Svenska Spel – Svenska Spel was a state-owned company that held a monopoly on most forms of gambling in Sweden, including lotteries, sports betting and casino games. It was also the sole legal provider of online gambling services in the country.
- AB Trav och Galopp ( ATG ) – ATG was another state-owned company that held a monopoly on horse racing and horse betting in Sweden.
Whilst these two state-owned monopolies were responsible for operating and regulating all gambling activities, they nonetheless faced several challenges. Due to the limited competition in the gambling industry, this went against the principles of the EU’s free movement of services. Furthermore as a result of the inadequate regulation of online gambling and the gaming market, Sweden saw the rise of illegal gambling in the country. So it became apparent that the Swedish Government had to take a different path as far as regulated online gambling was concerned, hence Spelinpektionen came about on the 1st January 2019.
The Swedish Gambling Act 2018 is the main piece of legislation governing the gambling industry in Sweden and came into force on January 1, 2019, thus replacing the gambling laws and legislation that were in place up to this point.
This Act set out the requirements for obtaining a gambling license in Sweden, along with the conditions for operating a gambling business and the measures required to be put in place to protect consumers.
Subsequently Spelinspektionen the Swedish Gambling Authority has the power to issue binding regulations and guidelines that complement the Gambling Act and Gambling Ordinance that was published in 2018. This covers various aspects of the gambling industry, to include responsible gambling, anti-money laundering and advertising.
As Sweden is also a member of the European Union, Sweden’s national gambling policy has to comply with EU principles, such as the free movement of services and the freedom of establishment. With the Act being designed to align with EU law while also maintaining a high level of consumer protection.
Spelinspektionen works in collaboration with the Swedish National Audit Office to ensure transparency, accountability and proper use of public funds within the gambling industry.
The National Audit Office is responsible for auditing the activities of state agencies, to ensure that the authority is using public funds appropriately and that its financial statements are accurate and reliable.
Spelinspektionen operates within this laid down legal framework to ensure a well regulated, safe gambling market and one that also encourages competition.
Spelinspektionen is made up of Board Members appointed by the Swedish government. The key figures responsible for overseeing the day to day operations of the Swedish Gambling Authority are:
- Camilla Rosenberg – Director General: Rosenberg has been the Director General of Spelinspektionen since its establishment in 2019. She is responsible for the overall management and decision making of the Swedish Gambling Authority.
- Patrik Gustavsson – Chief Legal Counsel: Gustavsson is the Chief Legal Counsel at Spelinspektionen. His remit is to oversee the legal department of the Swedish Gambling Authority and to advise the Director General and the board on legal matters related to gambling regulation.
- Anders Sims – Head of Communications: Sims is responsible for the Swedish Gambling Authority’s communication and public relations. He manages the Authority’s external and internal communications, including media relations and stakeholder engagement.
- Katarine Abrahamsson – Head of Operational Department: Abrahamsson leads the Operational Department, which is responsible for the licensing process, supervision and enforcement of gambling operators.
License Requirements and Conditions
Like any regulator for the gambling industry in any country, Spelinspektionen is charged with ensuring the country has a safe gambling market for consumers and to take action against gambling related crimes.
To this extent the Swedish Gambling Policy by way of the 2018 Gambling Act and Ordinance of the same year, is enforced by the Swedish Gambling Authority to ensure a safe gambling market in the country.
All licensed operators are required to have a physical presence in Sweden or within the European Union. With operators applying for a license providing detailed information about their ownership structure, key personnel and financial standing.
Additionally all licensed operators must be able to demonstrate that they have the necessary technical systems in place to ensure secure and fair gaming. This must also include measures to prevent underage gambling and problem gambling.
Spelinspektionen also requires licensed gambling companies to adhere to strict marketing and advertising regulations, ensuring that their promotional activities are not misleading or target vulnerable individuals.
Upon receiving a license to operate in Sweden, all licensees are required to pay the applicable licensing fees and taxes. With the operator also conforming to international auditing standards so as they meet the auditing requirements set by Spelinspektionen.
Role and Duties of Spelinspektionen
Issuing Licenses
Spelinspektionen is responsible for iussues licenses to gambling operators who wish to provide their services in Sweden, ensuring that they meet the necessary legal and technical requirements.
Supervision and Compliance
Spelinspektionen monitors all licensed operators to ensure they comply with the relevant laws set out by the Swedish Gambling Policy. This includes overseeing all marketing activities, thus ensuring responsible gambling measures are in place.
Prevention of illegal gambling
Another role of the Swedish Gambling Authority is to prevent illegal sites from targeting Swedish players.
Promotion of Responsible Gambling
The Swedish Gambling Authority is tasked with promoting responsible gambling practices and raising awareness about the risks associated with excessive gambling. This includes working with operators to implement measures that help prevent problem gambling.
Types of Licenses Offered by Spelinspektionen
Under the Swedish Gambling Authority’s supervision, licenses to operate a gambling business in Sweden are offered. These include:
Commercial Online Gambling License
This license allows operators to offer online casino games, online bingo and online slot machines.
Betting License:
Operators with this license can provide sports betting and horse race betting services.
Commercial Land Based Gambling License
This license is required for operating a land based casino and slot also machines in restaurants and bingo halls.
How to Verify if a Casino is Licensed by Spelinspektionen
There are a couple of methods you can follow which we lay out below to verify if a casino is licensed by Spelinspektionen.
- Visit Spelinspektionen’s site – https://www.spelinspektionen.se/sok-licens/
- This page provides a search function of all licensed operators.
Alternatively you can check the casino’s site for a logo or information concerning their licensing, which if they are licensed by Spelinspektionen, they should have displayed prominently on their site.
Complaints Procedure
If you become aware of any unlicensed operators targeting Sweden, you can contact Spelinspektionen directly.
As a player residing in Sweden and should you find you have an issue with a casino licensed by Spelinspektionen you can follow the steps we have laid out below:
- Contact the casino operator as the first course of action. Before filing a complaint with Spelinspektionen, you should attempt to resolve the issue directly with the casino in question. Licensed operators in the regulated gambling market in Sweden are required as part of their license commitment, to have a complaints handling process in place.
- Submit a complaint to Spelinspektionen should you not be satisfied with the response from the casino operator. You are able to do this directly from their official website.
- Upon receiving your complaint, it will be reviewed and Spelinspektionen may ask you for additional information from both yourself and the casino operator.
- Resolution: If Spelinspektionen finds that the casino operator has breached its obligations under their license, then enforcement actions, such as issuing a warning, imposing a fine, or even revoking the operator’s license in severe cases may occur. You will be directly informed of the final outcome of any investigation taken place as a result of your complaint.
Notable Regulatory Actions and Fines
Spelinspektionen, the Swedish Gambling Authority has taken several notable regulatory actions and issued fines since its establishment in 2019. Below are a few examples, along with dates and amounts where available”
- Global Gaming 555 AB – June 2019: Spelinspektionen revoked the gaming license of Global Gaming 555 AB, the operator of the Ninja Casino brand, due to serious deficiencies in the company’s operations, including anti-money laundering and responsible gambling measures.
- Aspire Global – March 2020: The Swedish Gambling Authority issued a warning and a SEK 3 Million ( €280,000 ) fine to Aspire Global for offering bonuses on games other than the first play occasion, which violated the Swedish Gaming Act.
- Casumo Services Limited – May 2022: Spelinspektionen issued a warning and a SEK 6 million ( €570,000 ) fine to the operators of Casumo for offering bonuses on games other than the first play occasion, which violated the Swedish Gaming Act.
Self Exclusion Service – Spelpaus
As part of their obligations upon accepting a license to operate in the gambling market in Sweden, all licensed Swedish gambling companies have to sign up with the Swedish self exclusion service Spelpaus.
Comparing REGULATOR with Other Regulatory Bodies
The regulatory body in Sweden operates very similarly to the United Kingdom’s Gambling Commission. Both have strong remits from their respective governments and are both renowned for taking strong decisive action against their licensees who are found wanting, when it comes to compliance
Contact Information
Address: Finningevägen 54 B Strängnäs
Phone: 0152-650 100
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.spelinspektionen.se/
Licensee Register: Here