Your Ultimate Guide to Offline Gambling in Sweden 🗺️

Gambling in Sweden

Sweden, a nation known for its progressive social policies and robust regulatory frameworks, offers a unique landscape for offline gambling. Historically dominated by state-owned monopolies, the market has undergone significant reforms, particularly with the introduction of the new Gambling Act in 2019. While online gambling has seen rapid growth, traditional brick-and-mortar venues and retail operations continue to play a significant role, operating under strict regulations aimed at consumer protection and harm reduction.

The Regulatory Framework 📜

The foundation of Sweden's gambling market is the Swedish Gambling Act (2019), which replaced the previous fragmented legislation. This act introduced a licensing system for both online and offline gambling, effectively ending the state monopoly for many sectors while maintaining it for others. The primary regulatory body overseeing all gambling activities in Sweden is Spelinspektionen (the Swedish Gambling Authority).

Key objectives of the regulation include:

1. Strong consumer protection: Ensuring a safe gambling environment.
2. High channelisation: Directing players to licensed and regulated operators.
3. Combating illegal gambling: Suppressing unlicensed operations.
4. Preventing problem gambling: Implementing measures to mitigate harm.

All licensed offline gambling operations must adhere to stringent requirements concerning responsible gambling, marketing, and anti-money laundering (AML) measures. ID verification is mandatory for almost all forms of offline gambling to ensure age compliance (18 ) and to facilitate self-exclusion protocols.

Key Operators in the Offline Market

While the new act opened the market, certain traditional offline gambling segments remain under the control of state-owned entities:

1. Svenska Spel: The dominant state-owned gambling company, Svenska Spel holds a monopoly on land-based casinos (Casino Cosmopol), national lotteries, and many forms of retail sports betting.
2. ATG: Formerly known as AB Trav och Galopp, ATG holds a monopoly on betting on horse racing. They operate through retail agents and at race tracks.
3. Other Licensed Operators: A limited number of other operators hold licenses for specific types of offline gambling, such as commercial bingo halls or slot machines in restaurants, but the primary land-based casino and lottery operations remain with Svenska Spel.

Types of Offline Gambling in Sweden

Land-Based Casinos: Casino Cosmopol 🎰

Sweden's only full-service land-based casinos are operated exclusively by Svenska Spel under the brand Casino Cosmopol. These casinos offer a comprehensive range of traditional casino games:

• Locations: Currently, there are three Casino Cosmopol venues located in major cities:
  1. Stockholm
  2. Gothenburg (Göteborg)
  3. Malmö
  (A fourth casino in Umeå closed in 2020.)
• Games Offered: Visitors can enjoy classic table games such as Blackjack, Roulette, Poker (various variants), and a wide array of slot machines.
• Entry Requirements: Strict identification checks are in place. Visitors must be 18 years or older and present a valid ID to gain entry. There is typically an entrance fee.
• Responsible Gambling: Casinos are equipped with responsible gambling tools and staff trained to identify and assist individuals with potential gambling problems, including the option for self-exclusion.

Retail Betting: Sports & Horse Racing ⚽️🐎

Offline betting remains a popular activity, primarily through dedicated betting shops (spelbutiker) and retail agents (ombud) located across the country:

• Sports Betting:

  Svenska Spel Sport & Casino offers various sports betting options through its network of retail agents (e.g., supermarkets, newsagents) and dedicated betting shops. Bettors can place wagers on football, ice hockey, and a multitude of other sports. These are typically fixed-odds bets or pool betting.

• Horse Racing (Trav & Galopp):

  ATG is the sole operator for betting on horse racing. Their services are available at race tracks, dedicated ATG retail agents, and various other venues. Horse racing, particularly harness racing (trav), holds a strong cultural significance in Sweden.

Restaurant Casinos & Slot Machines (VLTs) 🍽️

Beyond the full-scale casinos, limited forms of gambling are permitted in certain public venues, primarily restaurants and pubs:

• Jack Vegas: These are video lottery terminals (VLTs) operated by Svenska Spel, found in many restaurants, bars, and bingo halls. They offer a range of slot-like games with lower stakes and payouts compared to casino slots, designed for casual entertainment.
• Miss Vegas: A similar concept operated by ATG, focusing on horse racing-themed games, though these are less common than Jack Vegas terminals.
• Regulation: These machines are heavily regulated regarding maximum stakes, payouts, and operating hours, aiming to minimize the risk of problem gambling in social settings.

Bingo Halls 🎱

Traditional bingo halls are a long-standing feature of the Swedish offline gambling scene. They often serve as community hubs and are frequently operated by non-profit organizations, with proceeds often benefiting local sports clubs or charities. Bingo operations are licensed by Spelinspektionen and must adhere to specific rules regarding prizes and responsible gambling.

Lotteries 🎟️

Lotteries are arguably the most widespread form of offline gambling in Sweden due to their ubiquitous retail presence:

• Svenska Spel Lotteries:Svenska Spel operates the national lottery, offering both draw-based games (e.g., Lotto, Keno) and instant scratch cards.
• Retail Presence: Lottery tickets and scratch cards like the immensely popular Triss are sold at thousands of retail outlets across Sweden, including supermarkets, convenience stores, and newsagents.
• Charity Lotteries: In addition to Svenska Spel, various charity organizations are also licensed to operate lotteries, with a portion of the proceeds going towards their charitable causes.

Player Protection and Responsible Gambling 🛡️

Sweden places a strong emphasis on responsible gambling across all licensed operations, both online and offline. While some measures are more prominent in the online sphere, their principles extend to offline gambling:

• ID Verification: Mandatory for entry into casinos, and increasingly common for other forms of offline gambling.
• Self-Exclusion: While the national self-exclusion register Spelpaus.se primarily targets online gambling, offline venues also have their own self-exclusion procedures. Casino Cosmopol, for instance, allows individuals to self-exclude from all its venues.
• Duty of Care: Licensed operators are obligated to actively monitor player behavior for signs of problem gambling and intervene appropriately.
• Information: Clear information about responsible gambling tools and resources is available at all licensed gambling venues.

Challenges and Future Outlook

The offline gambling market in Sweden faces several challenges. The convenience and accessibility of online gambling often draw players away from traditional venues. Additionally, combating illegal, unlicensed gambling operations remains an ongoing task for Spelinspektionen. The future of offline gambling in Sweden will likely involve continued adaptation to changing consumer preferences, technological advancements, and evolving regulatory pressures, all while maintaining a strong focus on player protection and responsible gambling.