Betting Sites in Sweden: Complete Guide for 2026

Sweden operates one of Europe’s most tightly regulated online gambling markets. Since the Gambling Act came into force on 1 January 2019, all betting operators must hold a licence from Spelinspektionen (the Swedish Gambling Authority) to legally offer services to Swedish players. This guide covers everything you need to know about betting in Sweden, from regulations and taxes to payment methods and popular sports.

Is Online Betting Legal in Sweden?

Yes, online betting is fully legal in Sweden. The 2018 Gambling Act opened the market to private operators, ending the previous state monopoly. However, only operators licensed by Spelinspektionen can legally target Swedish customers.

Key points:

• All licensed operators must connect to Spelpaus (the national self-exclusion register)
• Unlicensed operators are prohibited from targeting Swedish players
• Payment providers must block transactions to unlicensed gambling sites
• ISPs can be ordered to display warning messages on unlicensed sites

As of August 2025, 66 companies hold licences to offer commercial online gambling and 55 companies hold betting licences in Sweden. The channelisation rate (percentage of gambling done with licensed operators) stood at 85% in 2024.

Swedish Gambling Authority: Spelinspektionen

Spelinspektionen is Sweden’s regulatory body for gambling. Established alongside the 2018 Gambling Act, the authority is responsible for:

• Issuing and monitoring gambling licences
• Enforcing responsible gambling requirements
• Operating the Spelpaus self-exclusion system
• Taking action against unlicensed operators
• Ensuring anti-money laundering compliance

Licensed operators face strict requirements including mandatory deposit limits, reality checks, and integration with Spelpaus. The regulator can impose significant fines for violations—penalty fees for AML breaches were aligned with those under the Gambling Act from April 2024, allowing for substantial financial sanctions.

Are Betting Winnings Taxed in Sweden?

For players: Winnings from licensed Swedish operators are tax-free. This applies to all forms of gambling including sports betting, casino games, and poker.

However, there’s an important exception: winnings from unlicensed operators (those without a Swedish licence or operating outside the EU/EEA) are subject to 30% capital gains tax. This makes using licensed operators not just safer but more profitable.

For operators: Licensed betting companies pay 22% tax on gross gaming revenue (GGR). This rate increased from 18% in July 2024, generating an estimated additional SEK 540 million annually for the Swedish government.

Coming in 2026: From 1 January 2026, a comprehensive ban on using credit for gambling payments will take effect, aiming to prevent gambling-related debt.

Identity Verification: BankID

Sweden uses BankID as its national digital identification system. For online betting, this means:

• Instant verification: No manual document uploads required
• Secure transactions: All deposits and withdrawals authenticated via BankID
• Pay N Play: Many operators offer registration-free betting where BankID handles everything

BankID is linked to your Swedish personal identity number (personnummer), making it impossible to create multiple accounts or bypass self-exclusion. This system is one reason Sweden’s gambling market is considered among the most secure in Europe.

To use Swedish betting sites, you’ll need:

• A Swedish personal identity number
• A Swedish bank account
• BankID installed on your device

Spelpaus: Self-Exclusion in Sweden

Spelpaus is Sweden’s centralised self-exclusion register, operated by Spelinspektionen. Since its launch in January 2019, over 100,000 individuals have registered for self-exclusion.

How it works:

• Register at spelpaus.se using your BankID
• Choose exclusion period: 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, or indefinitely (minimum 12 months)
• Immediately blocked from all licensed gambling sites
• Cannot receive marketing from any licensed operator
• Exclusion cannot be reversed until the chosen period expires

All licensed operators are legally required to check the Spelpaus register before allowing customers to play or sending marketing materials. Proposed regulations for 2026 will require even more rigorous verification checks.

Limitation: Spelpaus only covers Swedish-licensed operators. Unlicensed offshore sites don’t participate, which is one reason the regulator continues to combat the unlicensed market.

Payment Methods for Swedish Betting Sites

Swedish betting sites offer several payment options, with local methods being the fastest and most convenient:

Swish

The most popular payment method in Sweden. Swish links your phone number to your bank account for instant mobile payments.

• Deposits: Instant
• Withdrawals: Typically within minutes
• Fees: Free for users
• Security: BankID verification required

Trustly

A secure bank transfer service that works directly with your online banking.

• Deposits: Instant
• Withdrawals: Usually within minutes, sometimes hours
• Fees: Free for users
• Features: Supports Pay N Play (register and deposit in one step)

Credit/Debit Cards

Visa and Mastercard are accepted at most betting sites.

• Deposits: Instant
• Withdrawals: 1-3 business days
• Note: From January 2026, credit cards will be banned for gambling transactions

E-wallets

Skrill and Neteller are available at some operators, though less common than local methods.

Bank Transfer

Direct transfers to/from your bank account, though slower than Swish or Trustly.

Bonus Restrictions in Sweden

Sweden has some of the strictest bonus regulations in Europe:

• Welcome bonus cap: Maximum SEK 100 (approximately €9)
• One bonus per operator: You can only receive one welcome offer per betting site
• No reload bonuses: Ongoing promotions for existing customers are prohibited
• Marketing restrictions: Bonuses must be promoted “in moderation”

These restrictions aim to reduce problem gambling by preventing operators from using generous bonuses to encourage excessive betting. For bettors, this means focusing on odds quality and features rather than bonus hunting.

Popular Sports for Betting in Sweden

Football

Football dominates Swedish sports betting. Key markets include:

• Allsvenskan: Sweden’s top professional league, running since 1924. Malmö FF has been the most successful club with 27 titles.
• Superettan: Second division, with promotion playoffs against Allsvenskan’s 14th-placed team
• International leagues: Premier League, La Liga, Champions League extremely popular
• Stryktipset: Traditional pools betting requiring correct predictions on 13 matches

Ice Hockey

Ice hockey is a national obsession, especially during the long Swedish winters:

• SHL (Swedish Hockey League): Top domestic league, season runs September to April/May
• NHL: Massive following due to successful Swedish players like Peter Forsberg, Mats Sundin, and Nicklas Lidström
• International: IIHF World Championships, Olympics

Popular hockey markets include moneyline, puck line, total goals, and period betting.

Handball

Sweden has a strong handball tradition, with the men’s national team winning European Championship silver:

• EHF European League: Features several Swedish clubs
• **Accounts for 7-10% of annual betting volume

Horse Racing (Trotting)

Harness racing is extremely popular in Sweden:

• ATG: The state-owned operator manages most land-based horse racing betting
• Elitloppet: Major annual event
• V75: Popular weekly betting format
• **Over SEK 2 billion bet annually on horse racing

Winter Sports

Given Sweden’s climate, winter sports betting is naturally popular:

• Cross-country skiing
• Biathlon
• Alpine skiing
• Figure skating

Esports

Growing rapidly among younger Swedish bettors, with CS2 (formerly CS:GO) particularly popular given Sweden’s strong esports heritage.

How to Choose a Swedish Betting Site

When selecting a betting site in Sweden, consider:

1. Spelinspektionen Licence

Only bet with licensed operators. Check the site footer for licence information or verify directly with Spelinspektionen. This ensures:

• Tax-free winnings
• Protection under Swedish law
• Access to Spelpaus if needed
• Fair treatment and dispute resolution

2. Odds Quality

With limited bonuses, odds become crucial. Compare prices across multiple operators—even small differences compound over time. Look for:

• Competitive odds on Allsvenskan and SHL
• Good coverage of international leagues
• Value on live betting markets

3. Payment Speed

Swedish-licensed sites excel here. Swish and Trustly typically process withdrawals within minutes. Verify your preferred method is supported before registering.

4. Features

• Live streaming: Especially valuable for SHL and international football
• Cash out: Exit bets early to secure profits or cut losses
• Bet builder: Combine multiple selections from the same match
• Mobile apps: iOS and Android apps with BankID integration

5. Market Coverage

Ensure your preferred sports and leagues are well covered. Football and hockey will be comprehensive everywhere, but coverage of handball, bandy, or esports may vary.

Responsible Gambling in Sweden

Sweden takes responsible gambling seriously. Licensed operators must provide:

• Mandatory deposit limits: Players must set daily, weekly, and monthly deposit limits
• Reality checks: Regular notifications showing time played and money won/lost
• Loss information: Clear display of accumulated losses over the past 12 months
• Self-assessment tests: Tools to evaluate gambling behaviour
• Cool-off periods: Ability to take short breaks from gambling
• Spelpaus integration: One-click access to national self-exclusion

From October 2024, Spelinspektionen gained enhanced powers to specify exactly what operators’ responsible gambling action plans must contain.

Getting Help

If you’re concerned about your gambling:

• Spelpaus.se: National self-exclusion register
• Stödlinjen: National gambling helpline
• Local healthcare: Can refer to gambling addiction treatment

Key Takeaways

• Legal and regulated: Only bet with Spelinspektionen-licensed operators
• Tax-free winnings: No tax on winnings from licensed sites
• BankID required: Swedish identity verification for all accounts
• Spelpaus available: National self-exclusion covering all licensed operators
• Limited bonuses: Maximum SEK 100 welcome bonus, no ongoing promotions
• Fast payments: Swish and Trustly offer near-instant transactions
• Strong protections: Mandatory deposit limits, reality checks, and responsible gambling tools

Sweden’s strict regulatory framework prioritises player protection while still offering a competitive market with quality betting options. Focus on finding operators with the best odds for your preferred sports, as bonus incentives are minimal compared to other markets.