Sweden’s regulated gambling sector saw a slight uptick in second‑quarter revenue, reaching SEK 7.02 billion (approx. $750 million), according to new figures from the Swedish Gambling Authority, Spelinspektionen. The total marks a 1.9% increase year‑on‑year and a 5.9% rise from Q1 2025. While the numbers remain strong, industry voices warn of mounting pressure from unlicensed operators.
Online Gambling Still Leads the Market
Commercial online gambling — spanning casino and sports betting — continued to dominate, generating SEK 4.63 billion ($494 million), up 1.4% from the same period in 2024. The growth is notable given that Q2 last year was boosted by heavy betting during the opening stages of Euro 2024, creating a challenging comparison.
State Lottery and Slots See Double‑Digit Gains
State‑run lottery and slot machine revenues climbed 10.2% to SEK 1.42 billion ($152 million), the fastest growth among all segments. This strong performance helped offset declines elsewhere and reflects shifting consumer preferences.
By contrast, “public benefit” lotteries fell 5.3% to SEK 846 million ($90 million). Bingo remained steady at SEK 49 million ($5.2 million), while land‑based commercial gaming contributed SEK 63 million ($6.7 million), underscoring the enduring appeal of on‑site slot machines in restaurants and other venues.
End of an Era for Casino Cosmopol
The quarter also marked the closure of Sweden’s last state‑owned casino, Casino Cosmopol in Stockholm, which ceased operations in April 2025. Its final months added just SEK 8 million ($854,000) to the national total.
Channelization and Regulatory Pressures
Channelization — the share of gambling through licensed operators — stood at 85% in 2024, down slightly from 86% in 2023 but far above pre‑2019 levels.
The period also saw a major leadership change: Spelinspektionen Director General Camilla Rosenberg will step down on October 31 to lead the Swedish Real Estate Agents’ Inspectorate (FMI) from November 1. Rosenberg has headed the regulator since 2017, overseeing Sweden’s transition to a licensed market.
Industry Calls for Reform
Her departure comes amid renewed lobbying from the online gambling trade body Branschföreningen för Onlinespel (BOS), which has urged the government to launch a broad review of gambling regulations. BOS is pushing for measures such as easing the strict bonus ban, warning that overly restrictive rules risk driving players toward unlicensed sites and undermining the regulated market.
