In the second quarter of 2026, licensed operators in Sweden reported a total turnover of SEK7.4 billion ($776 million), reflecting a 5.1% increase compared to the same period in 2025. This data was released by Spelinspektionen, the gambling regulator in Sweden, which defines turnover as the total amount wagered by players minus the winnings paid out.
Online gaming and sports betting were the dominant contributors, generating SEK4.96 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of slightly more than 7%. Meanwhile, state-run lotteries and slot machine games contributed SEK1.43 billion, remaining consistent with figures reported in Q2 2025. For games that benefit the public, including lotteries and hall bingo, total earnings amounted to SEK863 million, with hall bingo maintaining a steady turnover of approximately SEK51 million.
Land-based commercial gaming, primarily from casino operations at restaurants, saw a significant rise, reporting SEK73 million in turnover, up nearly 13% from SEK64 million in the same quarter of the previous year. Following the closure of Svenska Spel's final Casino Cosmopol venue in 2025, the state operator noted negligible to zero turnover during this period.
Spelinspektionen’s quarterly report also highlighted participation in Spelpaus.se, the national self-exclusion system, which experienced a slight decrease of 0.7% from the previous quarter, ending with nearly 138,000 individuals self-excluded by the close of the quarter. In April, Spelinspektionen implemented new rules that standardized the technical connections operators must use to access Spelpaus, introducing unique IDs and stricter verification processes.
Spelpaus was established following a significant regulatory reform in 2019 and came under scrutiny last year amid allegations of a data breach in the register, prompted by a documentary series.
As the unregulated market persists, Spelinspektionen reported having 2,186 active gambling websites lacking Swedish licenses as of April 30. The influence of promoters and social media figures remains a key concern in promoting unlicensed online gambling services. Previous reports have indicated that affiliate marketing networks and 'link farms,' which direct traffic to unlicensed casinos, present ongoing issues for regulators, particularly since many of these networks feature numerous online influencers.
The channelization rate for online gambling saw a 1% decline in 2025, dropping to 84%. This latest figure indicates a decrease from 2024's assessment and a further drop from the 86% rate recorded in 2023.
