Sweden bans gambling financed by credit
From 1 May 2026, licence holders and agents may not allow gambling financed by credit and must take steps to prevent it.
By Oliwer Brewitz, Head of Marketing
Key changes
- Licence holders and agents may not allow gambling financed by credit
- Duty to take appropriate measures to prevent credit-funded play
- Riksdag decision 17 February 2026; in force 1 May 2026
What changed
Government Bill 2025/26:11, Ett nytt förbud mot spel på kredit, was submitted on 30 September 2025. The Riksdag approved it on 17 February 2026, after a debate on 4 February, on the basis of Committee on Cultural Affairs report 2025/26:KrU3. Under the amended Gambling Act, licence holders and gaming agents (spelombud) may not allow or take part in gambling financed by credit, and must take appropriate measures to prevent it. The Riksdag rejected a motion to exempt non-profit lotteries. The law took effect on 1 May 2026.
What it means for advertising
Marketing must not suggest that players can use credit to gamble, for example through payment messaging or offers to pay later. Payment-method logos and calls to action in display, video/CTV and DOOH creative should show only payment methods that the operator still accepts under the new rules. Affiliates that list payment options on review pages should update them in the same way.
What operators should do
Review accepted payment methods and block those that fund play on credit. Update the terms and conditions and payment pages, and check affiliate and creative assets for references to credit-funded payment methods. Agents selling gambling in retail should train staff on the new rule and document the preventive measures they have taken, so they can show them to Spelinspektionen on request.
Full rules: Sweden regulation brief · All Sweden updates