Sweden has rolled out a new 10-day self-exclusion option through its national gambling register, Spelpaus. This initiative allows players a shorter pause from gambling across all licensed operators. Spelpaus, which was established in 2019, has registered over 134,000 users since its launch.
Previously, players could select only longer exclusion periods; now, a 10-day self-exclusion period is available for both online and land-based gambling services included in the national framework. This addition is part of a significant technical upgrade set to take place on August 1. On this date, all licensed operators will be required to connect to the updated Spelpaus system using a new API, which mandates that they verify customers’ self-exclusion status in real time before permitting gambling.
Recent regulatory measures in Sweden have tightened responsible gambling protocols, prohibiting licensed operators from accepting deposits made via credit cards, personal loans, overdrafts, or 'buy now, pay later' services. Alongside these changes, Spelinspektionen, the Swedish Gambling Authority, is seeing a leadership transition; Peter Knutsson is set to take over from Camilla Rosenberg as director general, with an ongoing commitment to enhancing consumer protection and compliance.
