Swedish licensed gambling channelisation slips to 84% in 2025

The Swedish Gambling Authority has estimated that 84% of gambling on Sweden’s competitive market took place with licensed operators in 2025, down from 85% in 2024.

The figure covers the competitive part of the market, mainly betting and online casino, and is based on a combination of player survey data and internet traffic measurements.

The regulator, Spelinspektionen, said 94% of players were estimated to have played on the licensed market in 2025. 

Betting remained the stronger-performing segment, with channelisation estimated at 96%, while online casino was lower at 81%.

The gap between the two segments remains important for Swedish policy. Online casino has been the area most closely associated with concerns over offshore gambling, bonuses, blocked players and operators not covered by Swedish consumer protection rules.

Spelinspektionen said the main reasons players used unlicensed sites included being excluded through Spelpaus, seeking better perceived winning opportunities or looking for games unavailable in the Swedish licensed market.

The latest estimate continues a gradual decline from 86% in 2023 and 85% in 2024. However, it remains far above the level before Sweden’s licensing system was introduced in 2019, when channelisation was estimated at below 50%.

Johan Röhr, Acting Director General at the Swedish Gambling Authority, said: “The channelisation rate in 2025 is estimated at 84%, which shows that the majority of Swedish gambling continues to take place with operators with a Swedish licence.”

The result comes as Sweden continues to tighten its gambling framework. An expanded ban on gambling with credit took effect in May 2026, while enforcement against unlicensed operators has remained a stated priority for the regulator.

Sweden’s policy challenge is now focused less on whether the licensed market is dominant overall and more on how much offshore activity remains in higher-risk online segments.

Earlier this month, Global Gaming Insider reported that Spelinspektionen had issued several Q1 2026 bans against unlicensed operators and continued action against illegal gambling marketing, including cases involving banner advertisements.