New Law Could End Credit-Funded Gambling in Sweden

Sweden is planning to tighten its stance on gambling financed through credit. A new proposal from the government aims to close gaps in the current law and add stricter rules to limit gambling-related debt.

Good to know

• Credit card payments for gambling could be banned entirely, both online and offline.
• Exemptions may apply to certain lotteries tied to charitable causes.
• The new law could come into effect starting 1 April 2026.

The Swedish Gambling Act already blocks licensed operators from offering credit to players. However, the government believes the existing law falls short. It only applies to credit issued by licensees, leaving space for third-party lenders and indirect credit arrangements.

To fix this, a new proposal was presented that would prevent gambling with any type of credit, not just credit offered by licensees. Officials say this update is necessary to tackle the connection between gambling addiction and financial hardship.

“The government wants to reduce the risk of over-indebtedness and protect consumers from ending up in financial difficulties,” the proposal stated.

Key Points in the Proposed Law

If approved, the updated rules would block gambling companies and agents from accepting bets funded by any credit, regardless of the source. They would also be prohibited from entering any agreements with external credit providers for gambling purposes.

Operators would need to take basic, cost-effective steps to prevent credit gambling. These steps would involve using existing technology to block credit card transactions linked to gambling, without interfering with other purchases.

In addition to the general restrictions, the proposal outlines a clear ban on credit card payments across both retail and digital platforms.

Some Lotteries Could Be Exempt

Not all forms of gambling will be affected the same way. The government said exemptions could be allowed in specific cases, such as subscription-based lotteries that support charitable causes.

These exceptions would still require safeguards to keep credit exposure low. Sweden’s gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen, would oversee any such exceptions.

This is not the first time the Swedish government has tried to strengthen rules against gambling with borrowed money. A similar bill was floated in early 2023 but did not move forward at that time.

Spelinspektionen backed the earlier effort and had already called for a blanket ban on credit card use in gambling. Although the regulator has not yet issued a formal opinion on the new draft, it acknowledged the new proposal following its release on 12 June.

If passed, the legislation will take effect on 1 April 2026.

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