Sweden Moves to Enforce Full Ban on Credit-Fueled Gambling

Although there is already a credit ban in place, the current legislation only prohibits gambling operators and agents from directly offering credit at the point of sale. This limited scope has allowed various other forms of credit-fueled gambling to persist, including the use of external credit sources and credit cards.

In a new proposal issued by the Regeringskansliet (Swedish Government Offices), lawmakers are seeking to close these loopholes by introducing a blanket ban on credit gambling. This would prohibit players from financing their bets through credit agreements with third-party providers, including banks and other financial institutions. Importantly, gambling operators—both online and land-based—will be legally barred from accepting credit card payments or knowingly processing bets placed using borrowed funds.

Operators will also be obligated to actively discourage the use of credit for gambling purposes. This includes restrictions on how gambling is advertised, with a clear expectation that promotional materials in both retail and digital spaces refrain from encouraging the use of credit. The overarching aim of the proposal is to strengthen player protection and reduce the levels of gambling-related debt, which continues to be a concern for Swedish regulators.

While the proposed changes are broad in scope, they do allow for certain exemptions. Some lottery entities may be excluded from the new credit restrictions, though details on which organizations would qualify and under what conditions remain under review.

This legislative push follows a broader regulatory overhaul that has been unfolding since early 2025. In February, the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS) formally petitioned the Ministry of Finance to review and amend the Gambling Act to better address rising concerns about consumer harm. Then, in April, the Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen) released a report highlighting the need for updates to current online gambling laws, pointing out legal gaps that continue to expose players to financial risk.

Altogether, the move signals Sweden's commitment to promoting responsible gambling and addressing the underlying financial vulnerabilities that can fuel gambling addiction. If adopted, the updated law would mark a significant tightening of Sweden’s gambling framework, aligning the nation with broader European efforts to mitigate gambling-related harm.