- Sweden’s government proposed a new credit gambling ban on June 12, 2025, expanding rules to block all credit-financed bets, including credit cards, by April 2026.
- Spelinspektionen supports the ban but seeks clarity on debit card credits and lotteries; 60% of licensees allowed credit cards in 2023.
- The ban aims to cut debt in the $2.5B market but risks pushing 20% of bets to unlicensed sites; players urged to use licensed platforms.
Why Sweden Is Tightening Credit Rules
On June 12, 2025, Sweden’s Ministry of Finance proposed a broader ban on credit gambling to address problem gambling and over-indebtedness, which affects 1.3% of bettors, per a 2024 survey.
The current Gambling Act already bars licensed operators from offering credit, but players can still use credit cards or third-party loans, fueling debt. Sweden’s $2.5 billion regulated gambling market sees 20% of bets flow to unlicensed sites, where credit use is rampant, per ATG’s 2024 data.
You can see the issue: weak rules let players borrow to bet, risking financial ruin.
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Details of the Proposed Ban
The new legislation would prohibit operators and agents from accepting any credit-financed payments, including credit card deposits, both online and in-store. Licensees must block bets if they know a player is using credit, using “simple and cost-effective” existing tech, like credit card filters, without new equipment.
The proposal exempts some lotteries for public benefit, like bingo, to protect non-profit causes. Spelinspektionen, Sweden’s regulator, supports the ban but seeks clarity on debit card credit limits and public lottery impacts, noting 60% of licensees allowed credit card payments in 2023.
You might notice the scope: this aims to choke off all borrowed funds for gambling.
Impact on Sweden’s Gambling Industry
Sweden’s regulated market, with 99,000 self-excluded via Spelpaus.se in 2024, prioritizes consumer protection, but the credit ban could push more players to black-market sites, which evade the 22% gambling tax.
For you, this means safer betting on licensed platforms like Svenska Spel, but fewer payment options if you rely on credit cards. X posts show industry support for harm reduction but worry about vague rules driving bettors offshore.
The ban aligns with global trends, like the UK’s 2020 credit card ban, which cut problem gambling without major fallout. You might ask: will this clean up gambling or fuel illegal sites?
What’s Next for Sweden’s Gambling Reforms
The proposal, if approved, starts September 1, 2025, with the full ban effective April 1, 2026. Spelinspektionen will gain powers to enforce duty-of-care plans, building on 2024’s 25 fines and eight license revocations
. Operators face pressure to adapt payment systems, while lotteries need clear exemptions. You might be curious about safe betting: use debit cards or e-wallets on GGL-approved sites to avoid risks.
With channelization rates at 69–82%, per ATG’s 2025 report, Sweden’s fight to curb credit gambling and black-market growth is a high-stakes battle.
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