Sweden’s extended credit gambling ban has come into force, with the regulator Spelinspektionen publishing updated Q&A guidance for operators.
Under the new regulations, operators and gambling agents are not allowed to process transactions involving any form of credit. Prohibition extends to credit agreements with third parties.
The new regulation expands former rules that prevented gambling companies and agents from extending credit to players themselves.
Operators are not required to check every individual payment to determine whether it is funded by credit. However, they must take appropriate measures to prevent gambling on credit, depending on how their products are offered.
Online gambling operators must remove links or adverts related to lenders and prevent any content that encourages players to fund gambling with credit. They are also required to block credit cards as a payment method.
These operators must establish procedures for handling cases where credit-funded gambling is detected, provide clear information about the credit ban on their websites and train staff on compliance requirements.
Land-based operators must train staff to refuse transactions where credit use is suspected. They are also required to block credit card payments where possible and display clear notices warning that gambling must not be paid for with credit.
If an operator becomes aware that a player is using credit to gamble, they are required to refuse the transaction.
All licensees are also expected to assess how credit-funded gambling can be detected within their own systems, based on information gathered through responsible gambling measures and anti-money laundering work.
The regulator, Spelinspektionen, may grant limited exceptions to licensed operators conducting gambling for public benefit, such as charity lotteries.
Exemptions are intended to be used restrictively and require a formal application. Even those granted an exemption must take proactive measures to prevent gambling on credit.
Spelinspektionen stressed that responsibility lies with operators, while players who gamble using credit are not subject to sanctions.
A recent report, presented by the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS), found that the proportion of adults experiencing gambling-related harm has declined since the early 2000s despite growth in the industry
