Swedish govt. proposes new rules to end credit-based gambling

Swedish gambling operators may soon face broader compliance obligations as the government moves to outlaw all forms of credit financing across gambling, including third-party providers and credit cards, under a proposed expansion of the Gambling Act effective April 1, 2026.

The proposal builds on current Swedish legislation, which prohibits players from using credit issued by licensed operators. The government now seeks to extend this restriction to cover all credit forms, citing concerns over the limited scope of existing regulations and links between gambling and over-indebtedness.

Under the proposed legislation, licensed gambling operators and agents would be barred from engaging in credit agreements with any party for gambling purposes. This includes collaboration with credit providers connected to iGaming.

Operators would also be prohibited from accepting bets if they are aware that the player is using credit to fund their gambling. Additionally, accepting payment by credit card—whether in-store or online—would no longer be allowed.

The government stated that the intent is to reduce the risk of financial harm among consumers. “By preventing gambling from being financed with credit, the government wants to reduce the risk of over-indebtedness and protect consumers from ending up in financial difficulties,” the proposal reads.

Operators and agents would be required to implement measures to counteract gambling with credit. According to the draft legislation, these steps should be “simple and cost-effective and not require new technical equipment.”

Existing technology should be used to block credit card transactions related to gambling, without affecting the sale of other goods.

While the legislation aims to extend the ban, some exemptions may apply. These could include specific types of lotteries that serve charitable purposes and are not affiliated with political organizations.

According to the proposal, exceptions could be granted “for special reasons,” including subscription lotteries and additional games, as long as protective measures are in place to limit the amount of credit used. Spelinspektionen, the Swedish gambling regulator, would oversee the management of such exemptions.

This is not the first time Sweden has proposed legislation targeting credit in gambling. A similar measure was introduced in February 2024, focused on credit sources outside of licensees. Spelinspektionen previously expressed support for a full credit card ban while requesting more clarity on regulatory definitions.

The regulator acknowledged the latest proposal upon its announcement but has yet to release an official opinion.