The Swedish gaming regulator, Spelinspektionen, has released its new regulations and advice under SIFS 2025:1.
The new regulation comes following news that state casino licences will no longer be awarded. As such, Spelinspektionen has repealed previous regulation and advice, specifically related to casino and slot games. As the regulator, it is able to make decisions such as who does or does not receive licences, and how licence holders should engage with regulation.
The regulation, which replaces LIFS 2018:9, comes with several notable changes.
First, for those applying for slot machine licences, little has changed from the 2018 Gambling Act and 2018 Gambling Ordinance. Restaurants, bars and gaming venues may continue to offer slot games under certain provisions, such as bars needing a serving permit to also offer slot games.
SIFS 2025:1 also advises that licensed operators keep information, including contact details, licence periods, gambling harm risks and others, keep this information easily accessible to the public.
Third, Spelinspektionen gives advice on where ATM machines can be placed in bars and restaurants, and how many can be placed based on earnings by the property. One ATM may be placed in a property if restaurant operations earn at least SEK 1m ($0.1m) per year. Moreover, one machine may be placed in a restaurant if its serving area earns an additional SEK 250,000. It also advised all ATMs to be clearly visible, stating: 'To ensure good supervision, a vending machine should be located so that it can be observed from a location where the venue's staff is most often located, such as a bar or a cash register.'
Other advice includes the need to immediately turn off machines if a serving permit is revoked or expires, vending machines must be on bingo game premises, and that all gaming agents participating in gaming venue activities must be aware of and observe the Gambling Act. These include: 'That a player must be 18 years old to be allowed to play, that it is prohibited from providing credit for games, where a player can get information about help with self-testing, self-exclusion and other problems related to their gambling.'
All new regulations and advice will come into effect from 1 December.
The regulator recently received support from Sweden's Administrative Court over its decision to reject Kornhults Idrottsklubb's licence application
