Gambling Age In Sweden

Minimum Age: 19

Details and Explanation

Legal Age Requirement

In Sweden, the minimum legal age for participating in gambling activities is 19. This applies to casinos, sports betting, lotteries, and online platforms, as per the Gambling Act, enforced to protect minors from gambling-related risks. For state-run lotteries, the age is 18.

Offline / Land-Based Gambling

Land-based gambling is legal, with four state-run Casino Cosmopol venues in Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmo, offering slots, poker, and table games, similar to the catalogs you’ve shown interest in. Betting shops and lottery outlets, operated by Svenska Spel, are widespread, requiring ID checks to enforce the 19-year-old age limit (18 for lotteries). The casino market, valued at SEK 2 billion annually, supports tourism but faces competition from online platforms.

Online Gambling

Online gambling is legal and regulated since 2019, with licensed operators offering casinos, sports betting, and poker via mobile platforms, generating SEK 27 billion in 2024. The Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen) ensures age verification and compliance. Unlicensed offshore sites are blocked, with over 200 domains restricted by 2025, and players face fines up to SEK 10,000, reinforcing Sweden’s competitive market.

Regulation and Oversight

Spelinspektionen, under the Ministry of Finance, regulates gambling under the Gambling Act of 2018. It oversees licensing, enforcing fair play, anti-money laundering measures, and responsible gambling initiatives, including the Spelpaus self-exclusion program, which registered 100,000 users by 2025. Sweden’s multi-licensing model, unlike the monopolies you’ve explored, supports a dynamic market, with 2024 reforms tightening bonus restrictions to curb addiction.

Enforcement and Penalties

Sweden enforces its regulations rigorously. Operators face inspections, with violations like underage gambling leading to fines up to SEK 10 million, license revocation, or criminal charges. Illegal websites are blocked, and players engaging in underage or unlicensed gambling face fines or exclusion via Spelpaus. The 2025 expansion of advertising bans, limiting promotions to licensed platforms, ensures a secure gambling environment, aligning with EGBA standards.