Sweden is implementing a ban on licensed operators offering or providing credit under the Gambling Act to comply with legal regulations and prevent gambling harm among players.
The government is proposing a more comprehensive ban to reduce the risk of over-indebtedness among people with gambling problems. Operators and gambling agents will not be allowed to process deposits or bets financed by credit, including credit cards.
Licensees in Sweden must also have duty of care measures in place to discourage excessive gambling, with the national regulator, Spelinspektionen, authorized to set requirements for these action plans.
The full credit ban will be in effect from 1 April next year, following a gradual implementation starting from 1 September this year.
Spelinspektionen has backed the ban on gambling with credit cards and has called for a full ban on such practices since November 2023.
Sweden will be joining other major markets like the UK and Australia, which have already implemented bans on gambling with credit cards to ensure legal compliance and protect consumers from financial risks.