The Swedish Parliament (Riksdagen) has adopted an expanded credit ban under the Gambling Act (2018:1138). The amendments enter into force on 1 May 2026, with no transitional period.
Key consequences include:
• A de facto credit card ban for gambling as license holders and agents are prohibited from permitting or facilitating gambling financed through any form of credit.
• The prohibition also covers alternative credit arrangements (e.g., personal loans or similar financing solutions) where the use of credit becomes known to the operator, e.g. through KYC or duty of care interventions. License holders are required to have procedures in place regarding the actions to be taken in cases where they become aware that a customer is using credit to finance their gambling
• Operators must actively inform customers of the credit restrictions, for example in connection with deposits.
Swedish Consumer Agency Report – Review of Withdrawal Practices
On 24 February 2026, the Swedish Consumer Agency published a report assessing gambling operators’ withdrawal restrictions and terms.
The review identifies three key areas of concern for the current online gambling market:
Vague and discretionary wording
Terms including expressions such as “at our own discretion” or references to a “non-exhaustive list” limit predictability for consumers. Such formulations may create a significant imbalance between the parties and risk being deemed unfair.
Excessive verification requirements
Some license holders require extensive documentation at the withdrawal stage, including notarised copies of passports. Complaints show that these requirements are often applied only at payout, resulting in delayed withdrawals or frozen accounts. The authority emphasises that verification measures must be risk-based, proportionate, and not impose unnecessary barriers.
Insufficient transparency regarding withdrawal terms
In certain cases, minimum withdrawal thresholds, wagering requirements, or administrative fees are applied without being clearly disclosed in the terms and conditions. Referring consumers to external sources for key withdrawal rules reduces transparency and may render such terms unfair.
While the report does not have binding legal effect as such, it provides a clear guidance on the the Swedish Consumer Agency’s expectations and the likely direction of future supervisory assessments.
Supervisory Developments
In the early months of 2026, the SGA has initiated a number of supervisory cases.
Supervisory matters are currently initiated and/or pending in the following areas:
• 9 cases concerning B2C license holders’ compliance routines for verifying their cooperation partners, including ensuring that B2B partners hold the required permits, and the internal procedures governing such controls.
• 3 ongoing AML cases.
• 1 ongoing RG case.
• 2 supervisory cases directed at B2B permit holders regarding the provision of gambling software to entities other than licensed B2C operators.
• Additional cases relating to physical lotteries, compliance with information obligations in bingo halls and vessels in international traffic.
