Sweden's priority: guiding players towards licensed options
In this article, brought to you by Raketech, CEO Johan Svensson discusses the progress of Swedish gambling regulation and why the affiliate’s Casinobonusar.nu platform is committed to a strong regulatory framework
Since the Gambling Act came into force in January 2019, the Swedish gambling sector has experienced remarkable positive change. This welcome and landmark legislation successfully opened the market to licensed international operators while establishing essential consumer protections. Now in 2025, we’re seeing continued developments that are redefining the industry in meaningful and beneficial ways.
The Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen) has become increasingly proactive, especially in addressing the threat posed by unlicensed gambling operators. From my perspective at Raketech and Casinobonusar.nu, these regulatory developments are creating promising opportunities for licensed operators who prioritise compliance and player safety.
Tackling channelisation challenges
One of Sweden’s initial goals with regulation was achieving a 90% channelisation rate, meaning the vast majority of gambling activity should take place within the licensed system. While early figures suggested the market was on track, sustaining that level has proven difficult.
According to Swedish horseracing operator ATG’s Q4 2024 report, the overall channelisation rate in the country ranges between 69% and 82%, falling short of the government’s 90% target set during the 2019 market re-regulation. The online casino segment shows particularly concerning figures, with channelisation estimated to be between just 59% and 74%. Sports betting fares somewhat better, with rates between 79% and 88%.
These statistics highlight that while the regulated market has established a foundation, there remains considerable room for growth. It’s positive to see that many Swedish players do value licensed operators, appreciating the enhanced protections like secure payment options and responsible gambling tools. The regulatory authorities have an opportunity to build on this base by implementing measures that could successfully guide more players to the regulated market.
A stronger stance against the black market
Spelinspektionen has ramped up its efforts to curb unlicensed operators. Collaboration with financial institutions has made it harder for these entities to process payments from Swedish players. Meanwhile, discussions around introducing IP blocking are progressing, which could help direct more players toward licensed platforms.
Penalties for unlicensed operators targeting Swedish consumers have also been increased. At the same time, awareness campaigns are helping educate players on the risks of using unlicensed sites – from lack of consumer protections to insecure transactions.
These efforts are beginning to pay off. Preliminary figures show improved channelisation, particularly in the online casino space, a segment historically most affected by unlicensed operators.
Why a regulated market matters
At Casinobonusar.nu, we focus exclusively on licensed operators, and we’ve seen first hand the benefits that a strong regulatory framework brings to all stakeholders. The regulated market creates safer gambling environments for players through mandatory access to the Spelpaus self-exclusion tool, transparent bonus terms and secure payment processing. Operators benefit from a level playing field where success depends on product quality and regulatory compliance rather than cutting corners. The broader Swedish society also gains, as gambling taxes support essential public services and fund crucial programmes aimed at preventing gambling-related harm. This three-way benefit system demonstrates why maintaining and strengthening our regulated market should remain a priority.
Finding regulatory balance
Sweden has made notable progress, but there’s more to do. Achieving the right balance between attractive licensed offerings and effective player protection is key to future success.
For instance, Sweden’s current bonus restrictions could be revisited to allow more flexibility for licensed operators, while still prioritising responsible gambling. Continued enforcement against unlicensed operators is crucial to improving channelisation. Collaboration between regulators, operators and comparison sites like us can also help identify smarter strategies to draw players into the regulated ecosystem. And importantly, regulatory decisions should be guided by robust market data to ensure policies are effective and deliver their intended benefits.
About Casinobonusar.nu
Casinobonusar.nu was created by a team of gaming enthusiasts who love online gaming. The site is dedicated to providing players with informative and trustworthy content about casino bonuses, online casinos and slots games. The editorial team works daily alongside casino experts, designers and developers to ensure Casinobonusar.nu consistently maintains the highest quality standards and stays up to date with the latest changes.
Johan Svensson is one of Raketech’s founders and was the CEO of Raketech Group Holding PLC until 2017 when he was appointed chief commercial officer (until 2019). After a few years, with a focus on M&A, business integrations and as chief commercial officer he assumed once again the role as CEO (acting) in 2024.