Sweden credit gambling ban to be fully effective by 2026

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As a fan of responsible gaming, I’m really interested in what Sweden is doing! They’re planning to introduce a law by April 2026 that will stop people from using credit cards for gambling. It’s a smart move, honestly, because they’re trying to tackle the growing problem of gambling-related debt. Hopefully, this will help protect people and encourage more responsible gaming habits.

The Swedish government has released new laws that will completely prohibit the use of credit for gambling, starting April 1, 2026. These rules build upon current restrictions in the Swedish Gambling Act, which already prevent players from using credit offered by licensed gambling companies.

This legislation is designed to eliminate ways people currently use borrowed funds – like bank loans, overdrafts, and credit from other companies – to gamble. Starting next year, gambling companies and their agents will be required to prevent transactions using credit and actively work to stop people from gambling with borrowed money. This means they must stop accepting credit card payments and avoid advertising lenders to their customers.

The government permits a few exceptions for gambling activities that aim to help the public, like charity lotteries. It stated, “These rules will apply to all types of gambling that require a license, no matter how the game is delivered.”

The regulator, Spelinspektionen, will be responsible for enforcing these rules. They will be assisted by Finansinspektionen, the financial supervisory authority, and the Konsumentverket consumer agency. If rules are broken, penalties could range from fines and temporary license suspensions to, in the most serious situations, complete license revocation.

Rising gambling debt in Sweden

This change is a response to the increasing problem of gambling-related debt in Sweden. The government pointed to the findings of the Överskuldsättningsutredningen investigation, which showed a connection between using credit for gambling and becoming over-indebted. The investigation highlighted this link, prompting the government’s action.

In January 2025, Kronofogden, the Swedish Enforcement Authority, announced that outstanding consumer debt had hit a new high of SEK138 billion (equivalent to $14.7 billion). Furthermore, a study conducted by the Public Health Agency revealed that between 3% and 4% of individuals aged 16 to 84 struggle with gambling issues. Of those affected, 40% primarily experience problems with slot machines and casino games.

This law is Sweden’s newest effort to broaden its restrictions on lending. Earlier attempts, such as a plan from February 2024, didn’t succeed because the definition of “credit” wasn’t clear and there were other regulatory issues. This new bill seems to have a better chance of being approved.

As a fan of responsible gambling, I was really pleased to see the government update the Gambling Act! It now makes it illegal for any gambling operator to work without a license. Before, there were some tricky loopholes that allowed companies to target Swedish players with English-language sites and accept euros. While most people in the industry seem to think these changes are a step in the right direction, some are saying that just this might not be enough to fix the problem of people using gambling sites that aren’t properly regulated in Sweden. It’s a bit worrying that channelisation rates are still falling, and we need to make sure everyone’s playing safely and legally. It’s a complex issue, but these reforms are definitely a good start. Hopefully it will improve things!

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2025-10-02 13:11