SGA (Spelinspektionen) Online Casinos

How does Spelpaus.se actually work? A look at Sweden’s self-exclusion system

One of the biggest things that sets the Swedish market apart is Spelpaus.se. Instead of having to set limits on every individual site you visit, this national system lets you pull the plug on everything at once. It’s basically the backbone of how the SGA keeps things safe.

If you feel like your gambling is getting a bit out of hand, you can just hop onto Spelpaus and instantly block yourself from every licensed site in the country. Just a heads-up though: once you’re on that list, there’s no ‘undo’ button. Operators are legally forced to cut you off from both playing and marketing until your timer runs out, no exceptions.

The Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA) regulates gaming in Sweden. Referred to as Spelinspektionen in Swedish, it issues licenses to internet casinos and other gambling sites.

The following guide covers the role of Spelinspektionen and discusses the process that SGA online casinos go through to gain licensing in this market.

How do online casinos obtain an SGA license?

Those interested in applying for a Swedish online casino license can visit the relevant page on Spelinspektionen’s website. Here, applicants will find all necessary forms and information on the licensing process.

Prospective operators must submit an application for the gaming type they wish to offer. SGA EU Casinos must apply for a commercial online gaming license.

Available licenses and fees include:

• Betting – SEK 230,000 (~$25,000)
• Commercial online gaming – SEK 230,000 (~$25,000)
• B2B / Software permit – SEK 120,000 (~$13,000)
• Annual Supervision Fee: Approx. SEK 264,000 (~$28,500) per license type

Once an application is submitted, Spelinspektionen reviews it and decides whether to approve the operator. It also offers guidance through the application process for interested parties.

The B2B License: Cleaning up the supply chain

Since July 2023, Sweden has stopped looking only at the casinos and started looking at the people actually building the games. It’s a massive change—essentially, if you’re a provider like NetEnt or Evolution, you now need your own B2B permit just to set foot in the market.

This matters because it puts the pressure directly on the developers. Instead of just hoping a casino plays fair, the SGA now vets the actual RNGs and backend systems at the source. It’s about making sure the games are legitimate before they even hit a lobby, which effectively kills off any chance for shady, unregulated software to slip through the cracks. For the player, it’s just one more layer of ‘proof’ that the game isn’t rigged

Sweden raises gambling tax to 22%

Sweden decided in July 2024 to raise its gambling tax up from 18% to 22% of Gross Gaming Revenue. It’s a bit of a balancing act for the government—they want a bigger slice of the pie for the state budget, but they’re trying to do it without scaring off the regulated operators. The idea is to keep the market high-quality and safe while making sure the industry pays its fair share.

Benefits of an SGA casino license

After its revamping in 2018, the Swedish Gambling Authority has received many applications for online casinos. The following advantages indicate why casinos are so interested in entering this market.

A Highly Regulated Market

In Sweden, player safety isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the law. The Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA) sets a high bar for how casinos operate, making sure they stay accountable. When you see that official SGA crown, you know the site has been vetted through one of the strictest systems in the world. It’s your guarantee that the games are fair, the terms are clear, and your safety comes first

The 2026 Credit Ban: A Major Shift in Player Protection

In February 2026, Sweden finalized a pivotal amendment to the Swedish Gambling Act. Starting May 1, 2026, a comprehensive ban on all gambling with credit comes into effect, closing long-standing loopholes.

The legislation prevents operators and payment providers from facilitating bets funded by borrowed money. Key changes include:

• No Credit Cards: Full block on credit-based card transactions, online and land-based.
• No Loans or BNPL: “Buy now, pay later” services and third-party lending are strictly forbidden.
• Proactive Oversight: Operators must actively prevent players from using borrowed funds.

For players, this is the ultimate safeguard against debt. For the SGA (Spelinspektionen) it ensures the Swedish market remains a secure environment focused on entertainment, not financial risk.

The Swedish gambling authority’s functions

As per its website, Spelinspektionen’s main goal is to promote a “legal, safe, and reliable” gambling market for consumers. It also performs the following functions:

• Accepting applications and vetting operators.
• Collecting fees and taxes from licensees.
• Ensuring protection for problem gamblers.
• Requiring online casinos to undergo third-party testing for fair gaming.
• Preventing criminal activities in the market (e.g., money laundering).
• Responding to player complaints.
• Working to prevent unlicensed operators from serving Swedes.

Sweden was previously rife with unlicensed gaming sites. Many casinos ignored Svenska Spel’s monopoly and continued to accept Swedish players regardless.

Much of the purpose behind the Swedish Gambling Act is to reduce the number of unlicensed online casinos. The SGA works with law enforcement to keep unapproved sites out of the market.

Spelinspektionen’s reputation as a regulator

Launched in 2018, Spelinspektionen is relatively young among gambling authorities. Nevertheless, it has already established itself as one of the industry’s most notable regulators.

The Swedish Gambling Authority ensures that operators live up to its lofty standards. Spelinspektionen requires online casinos to watch out for problem gamblers, obtain game testing, and advertise responsibly.

Spelinspektionen is never afraid to take action against operators. In 2019, it leveled SEK 120 million ($12.5 million) worth of fines at gambling sites for various violations.

If anything, Spelinspektionen is too rigid in its protection of players. For example, it only allows gaming sites to offer a welcome bonus and no subsequent promotions.

This measure prevents operators from continually enticing players with numerous bonuses. However, it also keeps responsible gamblers from enjoying more bonus opportunities.

Weighing the pros and cons, the Swedish Gambling Authority is a premier licensing body. Its rigid policies mostly work in the market’s favor by minimizing problem gambling and boosting the jurisdiction’s reputation.

Can you trust SGA casinos?

SGA online casinos must live up to lofty standards for game testing, player protection, and preventing criminal activities. As a result, these gaming sites are trustworthy.

Of course, gamblers should never take anything for granted and need to perform due diligence, but they generally have nothing to worry about in this market.

Swedish online casinos must follow strict protocols or risk major fines. Operators must undergo a rigorous licensing process to gain entry into the Swedish market. The SGA does its best to ensure that only high-quality internet casinos serve Swedes.