Sweden to ban gambling on credit with new law update

A bill that would greatly tighten laws pertaining to credit and gambling has been introduced by the Swedish government.

By prohibiting players from wagering money they do not already have, the proposed amendments to the Gambling Act (2018:1138) seek to lower the nation’s risk of gambling-related debt.

All licensed gambling operators and associated representatives in Sweden would be prohibited from permitting or facilitating gambling with borrowed funds under the new proposal.

Licensees and gaming agents are already prohibited from directly offering or granting credit for gambling, and this regulation expands that prohibition.

The bill requires all licensed gambling businesses in Sweden to adhere to the new regulations, regardless of how the game is accessed or delivered.

Agents and licensees will have to take concrete measures to prevent gamblers from financing their wagers with credit, including digital credit providers, third-party loans, and credit cards.

The goal is to encourage more responsible play in the industry and further shield people from gambling-related debt.

The rule gives the Swedish Gambling Authority the authority to exempt specific license holders who work for the public good. These exclusions would only be taken into account in certain situations where it is evident that the gambling operation benefits society.

The government claims that the extended prohibition is intended to address growing worries about debt associated with gambling.

The legislative changes, which will impact both online and land-based gambling markets subject to Swedish licensing laws, are set to go into effect on April 1st, 2026.

Sweden aims to mitigate harm and protect vulnerable gamblers from the financial risks associated with credit-fueled betting by implementing both prevention and oversight measures.