Stockholm, Sweden — As of September 2025, the regulated gambling market in Sweden faces critical challenges due to stagnant channelisation rates, with the Swedish Gambling Inspectorate identifying online casinos as the sector’s weakest component. Recent figures estimate the channelisation rate for online casino gambling at around 75–80%, falling short of the government’s strategic targets designed to ensure player activity flows predominantly through licensed operators. This persistent gap hampers market stability amid ongoing regulatory efforts to strengthen oversight, enhance consumer protection, and rebuild public trust.
Maria Nordström, spokesperson for the Swedish Gambling Inspectorate, expressed sharp concern over the slow progress: “Despite sustained regulatory initiatives, online casinos remain a significant vulnerability undermining our channelisation objectives. This situation impacts market integrity and threatens player safety.” Her comments emphasize the regulatory body’s mounting frustration and the urgent call for more effective intervention.
Under the provisions of the Gambling Act 2018:1138, the Swedish Gambling Inspectorate is tasked with enforcing licensing and channelisation mandates that aim to funnel gambling activity exclusively through regulated providers. The legislation seeks to combat illegal gambling while elevating consumer safeguards. Nevertheless, recent regulatory assessments highlight that enforcement mechanisms have yet to keep pace with the fast-evolving online casino landscape, leaving substantial regulatory gaps unaddressed.
Economically, the sluggish channelisation erodes tax revenues and raises alarms regarding increased consumer exposure to unlicensed operators, which may amplify gambling-related harm. For licensed operators, this uncertainty threatens innovation and market growth. Policymakers are now under increasing pressure to rethink enforcement tools and regulatory frameworks to restore stability and promote a safer gambling environment.
