Sweden Advances Toward a Complete Ban on Credit-Based Gambling
New Legislation to Ban Credit Gambling
The Swedish government has proposed new legislation aimed at curbing gambling-related debt by prohibiting gambling funded by credit. This initiative, titled “A New Ban on Credit Gambling,” seeks to broaden existing limitations under the national Gambling Act and is planned to be implemented by April 1, 2026.
Current Rules Fall Short
At present, credit gambling is only banned if the credit is provided directly by a licensed gambling operator or their agents. However, authorities argue that this approach is too limited, as it allows players to obtain credit from external sources to finance their gambling. The proposed law aims to close these gaps by banning all forms of credit-facilitated gambling, including those involving third parties.
The bill mandates that licensed operators and their agents must not connect gamblers to external credit providers during online transactions. They are also prohibited from accepting bets known to be financed by borrowed funds or processing payments made with credit cards. These rules will apply to both online platforms and physical betting locations to ensure full coverage.
Additionally, the government encourages gambling operators to actively discourage use of credit in gambling, for example, through visible signage in physical venues and clear notifications during online play. According to regulators, current technical systems can be adapted to block credit card payments related to gambling without interfering with other credit card transactions.
Consequences for Violations
With consumer debt reaching record levels in Sweden, the government highlighted research establishing a strong connection between gambling and financial over-indebtedness. The new regulations aim to reduce credit use in gambling to protect at-risk individuals from entering damaging debt cycles.
If enacted, the regulatory authority Spelinspektionen will oversee enforcement, supported by the financial regulator Finansinspektionen and the consumer agency Konsumentverket. Spelinspektionen will have expanded powers to impose penalties including fines, temporary suspensions, or full revocation of licenses for serious breaches of the law.
The announcement comes amid lobbying from Branschföreningen f�f6r Onlinespel (BOS), the association representing online gambling companies, which urges a broader review of gambling regulations. BOS opposes strict bonus bans and warns that excessive restrictions could drive Swedish players to unregulated foreign gambling sites.
