Sweden long had a gambling monopoly, meaning only two operators were allowed to offer online sports betting. This limited Swedes to playing at licensed foreign casinos in Malta or Curacao. After an investigation by the Swedish government, the decision was made to lift the monopoly and instead implement a Swedish license. Now, an authority in Sweden monitors casinos and betting companies.
Several Rules from the Swedish Gambling Authority
The introduction of the Swedish license has provided a better gaming environment for Swedish players. Operators face stricter requirements regarding responsible gaming while implementing more player-friendly bonus rules.
However, there are also stricter restrictions for Swedish players. A limit of one bonus per player and license is in place, meaning recurring bonuses and VIP programs are no longer allowed. The most significant advantage for players is the legal requirement of BankID, the Swedish e-identification. This means no further registration is required, and withdrawals are processed immediately since document verification is no longer needed.
E-identification is a Requirement
There is much to say about the Swedish casino license, and Swedish players are likely very grateful that BankID is the only required verification. Previously, players had to fill out multiple forms to start playing. It was even more cumbersome at withdrawal when various documents had to be submitted.
Today, it looks different. Registration happens instantly, while withdrawals usually take just a few minutes. With payment services like Swish and Trustly, Swedish players can receive their winnings instantly in their bank accounts.
Better Bonus Conditions
The Swedish license also means significantly better bonus conditions. The Swedish Gambling Authority’s website contains information about the bonus rules implemented for Swedish players. These favor the players, and some of the points covered by the license include:
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Information about terms and conditions for a bonus offer must be clearly stated when the offer is made and when used by the player.
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A bonus for an individual player may not be offered on different terms than those offered to other players playing the same game.
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A player must have at least 60 days to meet any conditions tied to a bonus payout.
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Payout of a bonus must occur as soon as possible after the conditions have been met.
However, it should be noted that only one bonus per player and license are allowed. A Swedish player can only receive one bonus offer if a licensee operates several casinos within their network.
Responsible Gaming is Prioritized
Playing responsibly is something that the Swedish authority takes very seriously. Therefore, there are several rules that casinos and betting companies must comply with. Three logos from different organizations must be visible. They involve:
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Spelpaus: Players can exclude themselves from Swedish casinos and bookmakers here. An exclusion cannot be revoked or terminated prematurely.
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Självtest (Gambling limits): All casinos must have tools where players can set gambling limits, loss limits, and time limits.
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Självtest (Self-test): This tool is a quiz that allows one to test their gambling habits.
Additionally, several organizations that assist those with gambling addiction are also displayed at Swedish casinos.
