Sweden Gambling License in 2026: Spelinspektionen, 22% Tax and the 2026 Changes

Sweden re-regulated its market on 1 January 2019, replacing the state monopoly with a licensing system for commercial operators. Since then the rules have tightened steadily: a B2B license for game suppliers in 2023, a tax increase to 22% in 2024 and, in 2026, new enforcement powers, higher supervision fees and a ban on credit-funded gambling.

This page replaces our earlier Sweden guide. For other routes, see our gambling license services.

Sweden gambling license: key facts for 2026

The 2026 changes

• 1 January 2026 — wider enforcement and sanction powers for Spelinspektionen, including license revocation;
• 1 March 2026 — new supervision fees under SIFS 2026:1, charged per license;
• 1 April 2026 — full ban on processing credit-linked payments: credit cards, personal loans, overdrafts and buy-now-pay-later;
• Planned — repeal of the “directional criterion”, which would extend Spelinspektionen’s reach over unlicensed operators accepting Swedish customers.

Requirements

• Fit and proper owners and management, and financial capacity;
• A representative in Sweden for applicants established outside the EEA;
• Certified gambling systems and games, tested by an accredited body;
• Spelpaus integration, mandatory deposit limits set by players and duty-of-care monitoring;
• Bonus offers only at the first gambling occasion;
• Moderate marketing and AML/CFT compliance.

The application process

1. Scope: commercial online gaming, betting, B2B software or a combination.
2. File: ownership and fit-and-proper information, financial evidence, policies and technical certificates.
3. Apply to Spelinspektionen and pay the application fee.
4. Review, typically several months, with requests for information.
5. Go-live with Spelpaus and reporting connections in place.

Our news coverage of Spelinspektionen’s sports betting restrictions shows how the regulator applies the rules in practice.

Sweden or another jurisdiction?

• Denmark — 28% tax and five-year licenses.
• Netherlands — 37.8% tax and strict deposit rules.
• Malta — EU hub license held by most Swedish licensees.

How Gambling Consulting Expert can help

We prepare the Spelinspektionen application, the B2B software license for suppliers, and the Spelpaus, bonus and payment controls the 2026 rules require. Request a Sweden licensing assessment.