Key Moments:
- The Swedish Gambling Authority estimated an 85 percent channelization rate with licensed operators in 2024.
- There was minimal change from 2023 to 2024, as last year’s rate was also 85 percent, compared to 86 percent the previous year.
- Channelization rates differ by gambling segment, with online betting showing higher adherence than physical casinos.
Overview of Channelization in the Swedish Market
The Swedish Gambling Authority has released its latest findings, revealing that 85 percent of gambling activity in 2024 occurred with operators holding a Swedish license. This figure maintains the same level as in 2023, which saw 85 percent, slightly lower than the 86 percent recorded the year before. Channelization measures the portion of monetary gambling that is conducted with licensed companies within the competitive Swedish market.
The report highlights that channelization rates have demonstrated stability over the past two years. The Authority gathered its data using player surveys and by analyzing internet traffic.
Differences by Gambling Segment
The report notes variations in channelization based on the type of gambling. Online betting tends to show a higher degree of movement towards licensed operators, while participation for physical casinos is lower. Sweden is set to implement a ban on land-based casinos in the coming years.
Year | Channelization Rate (%) |
---|---|
2019 | <50 |
2023 | 85 |
2024 | 85 |
Regulatory Impact and Control Over the Market
According to Camilla Rosenberg, Director General of the Swedish Gambling Authority, only a limited share of the traffic to unlicensed operators comprises websites that actively target Swedish consumers without proper approval. The steady channelization rate demonstrates the effect of Sweden’s licensing framework. In 2019, the estimate for the channelization rate was below 50 percent, highlighting significant progress since then.
Efforts by the Swedish authorities aim to enhance control over gambling activity, with a focus on increasing channelization. Higher channelization means expanded regulatory oversight, helping to provide protections for players and ensure market integrity—a consistent focus for regulators in Sweden in recent years.
- Author
Daniel Williams
