Licensed gaming operations in Sweden recorded a modest 1.9% YoY growth in revenue during the second quarter of 2025. Total revenue crossed SEK 7.02 billion (approximately €638 million), compared to SEK 6.89 billion (approximately €626 million) in Q2 2024. The growing popularity of online gambling comes in the wake of the Swedish government abolishing land-based casinos from January 1, 2026.
A Quick Glance at Swedish Gambling Insights
- The Swedish Gambling Authority noted a 1.9% YoY revenue growth in Q2 2025, amounting to SEK 7.02 billion (€638 million), compared to SEK 6.89 billion (€626 million) in Q2 2024.
- Commercial online gambling, which includes sports betting and online casinos, was the largest contributor to the growth. State-owned slot machine and lottery operators recorded the highest growth among all market segments.
- Positive revenue figures were noted even as Svenska Spel shut down operations early, despite being legally allowed to continue until the end of the year. The Swedish parliament voted in favour of banning land-based casinos from January 1 2026.
Commercial Online Gambling Fuels Revenue Growth
According to the latest insights from the Spelinspektionen (the Swedish Gambling Authority), revenue increased 1.9% YoY in Q2 2025, despite land-based casinos gradually exiting the market. Leading the charge were commercial online operators, including casinos and sports betting platforms, and state-owned slot and lottery operations.
Revenue from commercial online gambling climbed to SEK 4.63 billion (approximately €390 million), recording a 1.4% YoY increase since Q2 2024. State-owned lottery operators generated SEK 1.4 billion (approximately €127 million), and land-based casinos generated SEK 63 million (approximately €5.7 million).
A 10.2% revenue jump highlights the demand for state-owned lottery and slot machines. Revenue from this sector and commercial online gambling helped balance the lesser revenue generated from other market segments. This positive market result comes at a time when the Swedish government is taking strict measures to regulate the sector.
Authorities are preparing a new law to ban gambling on credit. This will eliminate loopholes in the current regulation, which restricts licensed operators from offering credit but has no control over third-party lenders. Lawmakers are hopeful that the reforms will help reduce the rise of gambling-related debts across the nation.
Swedish Gambling Operators Generated SEK 27.8 Billion in 2024
According to the Swedish Gambling Authority’s annual report, licensed operators generated SEK 27.8 billion (approximately €2.49 billion). This marked a strong 2.6% YoY revenue growth, which came courtesy of the growing demand from the country’s evolving online gambling sector.
Between January 1 and December 31, 2024, commercial online gambling in Sweden generated SEK 12.84 billion (approximately €1.6 billion) in revenue, accounting for a 5% YoY growth since the previous year. Revenue from state lottery and slots also increased 2.2% YoY to SEK 5.72 billion (approximately €519 million).
Despite the increase in revenue, authorities were concerned about the falling channelling rate, which measures the volume of Swedish gamblers engaging with licensed platforms. According to the Swedish Gambling Authority’s estimates, the channelling rate for 2024 fell by 1% to 85% compared to 2023.
The Spelinspektionen’s official press release states:
“The channelisation rate for the competitive market in 2024 was 85%, compared with the authority’s estimate of 86% for 2023. The proportion of players who have played on the licensed competitive market is estimated at 96% in 2024.”