The Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen) has launched a consultation on a new set of responsible gambling regulations that would expand the obligations of licensed operators to identify and address harmful gambling behaviour.
The proposed framework would replace the regulator's existing responsible gambling rules, known as LIFS 2018:2, which have been in place since Sweden's regulated gambling market launched in January 2019. The consultation period will remain open until 10 August.
Under the draft regulations, operators would be required to continuously assess whether a player's behaviour constitutes excessive gambling and take immediate, individualised measures where risks are identified.
The proposal sets out a range of indicators that licensees should consider, including long gambling sessions, increasing deposit activity, overnight play, repeated attempts to raise deposit limits and evidence of financial difficulties.
The draft rules also place greater emphasis on behavioural monitoring. Operators would be expected to consider factors such as rejected deposits caused by insufficient funds, customers expressing a desire to recover losses and signs of mental health concerns disclosed during customer interactions.
The consultation forms part of a broader tightening of Sweden's gambling framework. During the past year, policymakers and regulators have focused on strengthening consumer protections while attempting to limit the appeal of unlicensed gambling alternatives.
Sweden's expanded ban on credit-funded gambling came into force in May 2026, prohibiting licensed operators from accepting deposits linked to credit cards, loans and buy-now-pay-later products. The measure was introduced to reduce gambling-related indebtedness and close loopholes in earlier legislation.
The regulator has also continued efforts to combat illegal gambling activity and improve compliance among licensed operators. Proposed amendments to Sweden's Gambling Act would broaden the legal scope used to target offshore operators that make gambling services available to Swedish consumers.
For operators, the latest consultation could lead to additional compliance requirements around data monitoring, customer interaction processes and intervention procedures. According to the regulator's impact assessment, the new rules are expected to be published later this year following industry feedback.
Earlier this week, Global Gaming Insider reported that Sweden's gambling channelisation rate fell from 85% to 84% in 2025, with online casino channelisation estimated at 81% compared with 96% for betting. The regulator has identified consumer protection and offshore gambling activity as continuing policy priorities.
The proposed regulations define excessive gambling as behaviour that causes, or risks causing, negative economic, social or health consequences for a player
