Key Moments:
- Licensed operators in Sweden reported SEK7.4 billion in turnover for Q2 2026, reflecting a 5.1% year-over-year gain
- Online betting and casino accounted for SEK4.96 billion, representing over two thirds of the quarter’s total turnover
- Spelpaus self-exclusion registrations fell by 0.7% from the previous quarter, totaling just under 138,000 by the end of June
Quarterly Performance and Online Sector Growth
Sweden’s regulated gambling market delivered a turnover of SEK7.4 billion during the second quarter of 2026, according to a 26 August report from Spelinspektionen. This figure marks a 5.1% increase compared to Q2 2025. Online gaming and sports betting remained key drivers, producing SEK4.96 billion in turnover – a rise from SEK4.63 billion last year – representing just over 7% annual growth. This segment comprised approximately two thirds of all licensed activity for the period.
Annual and Sequential Market Context
Market turnover for full year 2025 reached SEK28.2 billion, up 1.3% over 2024. In the first quarter of 2026, total turnover stood at SEK6.68 billion, which was 0.8% higher year over year. The online segment represented 66.5% of Q1 2026 turnover, up from 64.8% for the same quarter in the previous year.
| Period | Total Turnover (SEK billion) | Online Segment Share |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | 6.68 | 66.5% |
| Q2 2026 | 7.4 | ~67% |
| 2025 (full year) | 28.2 | – |
State Lotteries, Charitable Gaming, and Land-Based Operations
Beyond the online sphere, state lotteries and slot machines saw turnover improve to SEK1.43 billion in Q2 2026 from SEK1.27 billion in Q2 2025, an increase of about 13%. Lotteries supporting public benefit maintained turnover at SEK863 million, unchanged from the previous quarter. Land based commercial gaming – primarily restaurant casinos – brought in SEK73 million, nearly 13% higher than the SEK64 million reported a year before. Casino Cosmopol, operated by Svenska Spel, recorded no turnover for the quarter following the closure of its final venue in April 2025.
Adjustments in Player Protection and Regulatory Developments
According to Spelinspektionen’s Q2 update, the number of individuals registered with Spelpaus.se for self-exclusion stood at just under 138,000 by the end of June, reflecting a 0.7% quarter-on-quarter decrease.
Spelinspektionen confirmed new technical mandates for operators connecting to the Spelpaus system on 23 April. As of 1 August 2026, operators must adhere to updated requirements involving unique operator credentials. Beginning 1 May 2026, regulatory changes prohibit Swedish licensed operators from accepting deposits via credit cards, overdraft accounts, personal loans, or buy now pay later methods.
Leadership Changes at Spelinspektionen
Peter Knutsson began his tenure as director general of Spelinspektionen on 17 August 2026, with a six year mandate. He succeeded Johan Röhr, who had held the acting director general position since Camilla Rosenberg’s departure in October 2025.
Unlicensed Gambling Activity and Channelisation Rates
As of 30 April, Spelinspektionen identified 2,186 gambling websites operating without a Swedish license. This group included 976 sites offering only online casino, 800 providing both casino and betting, 113 offering skin betting, 6 focused exclusively on betting, and the rest attributed to unclassified and other forms.
For 2025, Sweden’s overall channelisation rate stood at 84%, compared to 85% in 2024 and 86% in 2023. By segment, betting reached a 96% channelisation rate, while online casino registered the lowest at 81%.
- Author
Daniel Williams
