State investigator to review gambling laws in Sweden

Therefore, a government investigator will now review how the scope of application of the Gambling Act can be expanded, and will come up with proposals to stop unlicensed operators in the Swedish gambling market. This could, for example, involve changing the so-called directional criterion that determines whether an online game requires a license in Sweden.

All gambling for money should take place with responsible, reliable and controllable operators. Gambling with unlicensed operators entails risks for the individual consumer, and undermines gambling legislation and makes it less effective. Criminals also exploit unlicensed gambling activities for money laundering and match-fixing. A review of the scope of application of the Gambling Act should contribute to more unlicensed operators being excluded from the Swedish gambling market, for example by making the license requirement apply to more games.

– We will stop rogue gambling companies that exploit vulnerable consumers. We are doing this by amending the Gambling Act to make it more appropriate. This is one of the single most important measures for a safer and healthier gambling market, says Minister for Financial Markets Niklas Wykman.

An investigator will now, among other things, analyze and take a position on how the scope of application of the Gambling Act can be clarified and expanded, for example by changing the direction criterion.

Marcus Isgren, Chairman and Head of the Swedish National Board of Complaints, has been appointed as a letter investigator. The assignment must be reported on by 17 September 2025.