The Swedish government has proposed new legislation which would extend the parameters of the country’s current ban on gambling with credit.
Current legislation only covers credit offered or provided by licensees and other gambling agents.
The government’s new proposal would see operators prohibited from allowing any gambling from customers that is financed via credit in any capacity.
Under the proposed new rules, licence holders would be banned from enabling players to enter into credit agreements with other parties.
Operators would also be prohibited from accepting bets “if they know that the player is financing the bet, or their gambling in general, with credit”.
Additionally, Gambling companies would be unable to accept credit card payments “if it is immediately apparent at the time of purchase that the payment is a credit card payment”.
The government is also calling on licence holders to take appropriate measures to discourage players from gambling with credit.
Suggested measures include displaying information signs in stores and delivering clear messages online.
Such initiatives “should be simple and cost-effective”, with operators encouraged to use existing technical equipment to implement these messages.
Sweden’s legislative council is also proposing that the Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA) should be able to grant certain lotteries exemptions from the bans, “in order to protect public benefit activities that are not party political”.
The government added that exceptions should be possible for special reasons.
“For example, for subscription lotteries and additional games, provided that protective measures are taken to limit the credit amount,” the press release from government noted.
If approved, the proposals would come into effect on 1 April 2026.
A statement from Sweden’s Ministry of Finance said: “The government has decided on the legislative council’s referral of a new ban on gambling on credit, with proposals aimed at creating a safer and more sustainable gambling market.
“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 government attempted to introduce similar legislation in February 2024, but it was met with opposition by the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS).
EGR has contacted BOS for its reaction to the latest development.
The post Swedish government proposes new legislation prohibiting gambling with credit first appeared on EGR Intel.
Extension to existing ban, which could come into effect from 1 April 2026, would encompass credit offered by companies outside of the gambling industry
The post Swedish government proposes new legislation prohibiting gambling with credit first appeared on EGR Intel.