Sweden’s parliament, the Riksdag, has approved the proposal to ban gambling with credit, with the amendment to the Gambling Act 2018 to come into effect on May 1, 2026. The proposal was introduced in 2025 and was aimed at decreasing debt among gamblers. Before this, Sweden already had a ban on credit provided by licensed
Sweden’s parliament, the Riksdag, has approved the proposal to ban gambling with credit, with the amendment to the Gambling Act 2018 to come into effect on May 1, 2026.
The proposal was introduced in 2025 and was aimed at decreasing debt among gamblers. Before this, Sweden already had a ban on credit provided by licensed operators, but players were still able to gamble using credit from other sources, and the proposed law is intended to close this gap.
Under the new law, licensees will be prohibited from accepting bets that were financed with borrowed funds, and operators that receive online payments will have to block credit cards as a payment method.
Additionally, licensed operators will have to prevent and discourage gambling from being financed with credit, for example, through signage at physical venues and notifications in online games.
The Swedish gambling regulator Spelinspektionen stated that all Swedish gaming license holders have to review their operations and implement appropriate measures to prevent games from being financed with credit.
Although the change applies to all forms of gambling regardless of how the game is provided, the Spelinspektionen might allow exemptions from the bans for specific operators with a license for public benefit purposes.