Despite being a global leader in the iGaming industry, Sweden was considered a grey market until quite recently. Read on as we guide you through the Nordic nation's newly liberalised online market, explore popular payment methods, and help you find the most suitable bookie among Sweden's betting sites.
- 1 Best Bookies We Recommend for Betting in Sweden
- 2 Our Top 3 Recommendations Reviewed
- 3 Online Betting in Sweden Explained
- 4 Is Online Betting Legal in Sweden?
- 5 Choosing a Good Swedish Betting Site
- 6 Popular Payment Methods for Swedish Bettors
- 7 Live Betting in Sweden
- 8 How To Bet Online in Sweden
- 9 Other Country Betting Guides — Click Each Flag To Learn More
- 10 ThePuntersPage Final Say
- 11 Sweden Resources
- 12 Best Sweden Betting Sites FAQs
Best Bookies We Recommend for Betting in Sweden
Bet and get a 100% bonus up to SEK 4,000 + 100 free spins at MGM Grand Gamble
Payment methods:
Bet and get a 100% bonus up to SEK 4,000 + 100 free spins at MGM Grand Gamble Bet and get a 100% bonus up to SEK 4,000 + 100 free spins at MGM Grand Gamble
Payment methods:
18+. Applies to new players on first deposit. 20x wagering requirement. Bonus money and 100 free spins in MGM Grand Gamble when wagering requirements are met. Valid for 60 days. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
Up to SEK 1,500 in Bet Credits + 100 Free Spins
Payment methods:
Up to SEK 1,500 in Bet Credits + 100 Free Spins 18+. Valid for new players on first deposit. Bet Credits min deposit SEK 50. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Free Spins min deposit SEK 500. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
Get Up To SEK 2,500 Extra in Cash Get Up To SEK 2,500 Extra in Cash +18 | Applies to new players. The welcome offer has only cash. This promo supplies 100% bonus cash up to EK 2,500. Turnover rule for initial deposit bonus is 35x the bonus and deposit. Neteller, Skrill excluded. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
Free Bet up to SEK 120 Free Bet up to SEK 120 +18 | Applies to new players on first deposit of min. SEK 100. Turnover 1x bonus amount. No Bonus code required. Maximum bonus amount SEK 120 Valid for 60 days. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
Get SEK 100 Extra in Cash Get SEK 100 Extra in Cash +18 | Applies to new players on first deposit of min. SEK 100. Receive SEK 100 in cash upon approved deposit. The offer has no turnover requirements | Deposit must be wagered x1 time. Valid for 60 days.. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
Trade with 0% commission for 60 days
Payment methods:
Trade with 0% commission for 60 days 18+. Valid for new players on first deposit of at least £10/€10 in a single amount to be eligible. COMMFREE promo code must be added during registration. Trading at 0% will be available for bets that settle within 60 days from the first deposit. This promotion cannot be used in conjunction with any other sign-up promotion. Country and Payment restrictions, terms and conditions apply. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
Get up to SEK 500
Payment methods:
Get up to SEK 500 18+. Valid for new players residing in Sweden on first deposit of at least SEK 200 as long as not accepted a bonus after 01/01/19 on sister brands (Bingo.com Maria Casino, and Storspelare). You get a free game worth up to SEK 500 by placing your first real bet money from your deposit. The stake on your first game determines the size of your free game. The free game will match your bet up to SEK 500. Your first game must have one |
Our Top 3 Recommendations Reviewed
Leading betting platforms will always provide you with a fantastic variety of sports to place a flutter on.
Our team of experts has singled out easy-to-navigate bookies that boast an excellent range of payment options. We explain why we consider these operators to be the best sports betting sites Sweden has to offer, and how their features can enhance your betting experience.
1. LeoVegas — Fanatical About Football
LeoVegas, whose headquarters are in Sweden, offer a plethora of sports markets with terrific odds. If you’re looking to gamble on Nordic sports, there’s the chance to wager on the major Swedish top-tier leagues of Allsvenskan (football) and SHL (ice hockey). There’s also a strong focus towards horse racing, rugby, and tennis, with all the popular sports well catered for.
Although the operator’s livestreaming is impressive, it is not available in all countries. For football fans, matches broadcasted live on TV feature more than a hundred pre-game and in-play betting markets.
- Diverse range of sports betting markets
- Great variety of sports bonuses and promotions
- Very competitive sports odds
- Livestreaming unavailable in some countries
- Low odds on some sports
2. bet365 — Big for Bonus Offers
bet365 offers an abundance of bonuses, promotions, and an extensive selection of markets — boxing, F1, MMA, NBA and NFL — in addition to all mainstream sports.
This bookie has a real passion for football, greyhound racing, horse racing, and rugby, offering impressive in-depth markets and in-play betting.
- Generous cash-out offers
- High betting margins for popular sports
- Superb HD-quality livestreaming services
- Does not accept cryptocurrency
- Slow to approve registration
3. CampoBet — Be in Control With Multiview Feature
Football is a firm favourite for CampoBet, with over 250 sports betting markets covering top-flight leagues and major tournaments. This operator also offers highly competitive odds on other popular sports for punters in Sweden. Baseball, basketball, esports, hockey, tennis, and volleyball top the sports interests behind football.
Even though CampoBet does not offer livestreaming, it does boast some impressive sports betting features with cash-outs, hundreds of daily live markets, and a multiview feature that provides you with live feeds on events by using a real-time tracker.
- Generous withdrawal limits
- Live chat supported in numerous languages
- Real-time stats updates available for all live sports
- Lacks livestreaming
- No weekend withdrawals processed
Online Betting in Sweden Explained
One of the first countries in the European Union to recognise the potential of online gambling, Sweden passed legislation in 2001 to address this emerging industry. This helped to regulate online casinos earlier than many other nations.
With a population of little over 10.5 million, the country’s online betting market is flourishing thanks to the state's monopoly on land-based betting. Only six land-based casinos are present throughout Sweden, all owned and run by the government.
The influx of internationally approved betting sites that are now in the nation did not simply arrive on a silver platter. The Swedish government blocked all foreign betting sites in 2008 to enforce its monopoly on both land-based and online betting markets. New legislation in 2019 was passed, following immense pressure from the EU, to allow authorised bookmakers to operate across the country.
This growing trend for Swedes who fancy a flutter on sport and casino games has resulted in licences issued to over 60 online betting sites. With a huge gap in the market to be filled, some of the best casino betting sites have opened.
The newly reformed Sweden betting market makes it similar to betting in the UK.
Sports in Sweden
The Swedish population has been captivated for decades by their long list of sporting superstars that include boxer Ingemar Johansson, football aces Zlatan Ibrahimović and Henrik Larsson, golfer Annika Sörenstam, skiers Carolina Klüft and Ingemar Stenmark, as well as tennis legends Bjorn Borg and Mats Wilander.
Although Bandy (similar to ice hockey but played with a ball) is the national sport of Sweden and the Svenska Superligan Floorball is popular, it is the top-flight SHL (Sweden Hockey League) that attracts punters in their droves.
Golf, handball, lacrosse, tennis, and winter sports are among the most popular sports for a flutter that have the Nordic infinity, while basketball, boxing, horse racing, rugby, table tennis and US-based sports like American football are well-represented betting markets in Sweden.
Yet, football remains the firm favourite for punters using a Swedish online betting site — especially when it comes to the elite division, which runs from March to November, with Malmö FF being the best-known team in the Allsvenskan.
Is Online Betting Legal in Sweden?
Online betting in Sweden is legal despite the government monopolising the betting industry in the country — a result of the state trying to prevent illegal betting activities from occurring.
Things did not change until 2013, when the European Union ruled that the blacklisting of EU-based bookmakers was illegal and against EU trade regulations. The Swedish government cannot restrict its citizens or block foreign bookmakers from accepting Swedish customers.
Swedish citizens have continued to bet with online foreign bookmakers since 2013, while enjoying their excellent services due to the EU ruling. The Swedish government created the ‘Spellag SFS 2018:1138’ policy in 2018, clearing up the landscape for online gambling in the country. This policy, which came into effect on the 1st January 2019, strengthened all regulations on unlicensed betting sites operating in Sweden.
Nowadays, betting sites have to acquire a Swedish licence from the Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA), otherwise they will be blocked entirely from the market.
Laws for Online Betting in Sweden
The Swedish betting market is regulated by the Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA), which oversees online gambling, lottery, and bingo, as well as the state monopoly of live casinos and cash machines. Licensed betting sites in Sweden must accept payments in Swedish krona.
Local punters are exempt from paying tax on their winnings. On the other hand, the operator must pay for a licence, general tax, and other fees to run their Swedish betting site. These include an 18% tax rate on gross gambling revenue, paid on a monthly taxation period in Sweden. This income helps to control the betting industry.
The Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA)
The SGA is in charge of registering new operators and ensuring that these bookmakers are regulated. They are also tasked with reducing unlicensed betting sites, and coming up with ways to stop them from entering the gambling market in the future.
The statistics of online sports betting in Sweden indicate that the user rate is predicted to increase to almost 10 percent of the Nordic nation by 2028.
Choosing a Good Swedish Betting Site
Here are a few factors to keep in mind when picking a Swedish betting site:
-
You are guaranteed a secure betting experience by only opting for sportsbooks licensed and regulated by the Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA).
-
Language is not a barrier because the top sports betting sites in Sweden allow you to switch from Swedish language to English. Simply select your preference from the menu.
-
The best sports betting sites Sweden has will offer some attractive options, such as cash-out, free bets, livestreaming, welcome bonuses, and promotions. It is recommended to find the best fit to provide you with a dynamic betting experience.
-
In the country, betting odds are displayed in decimals rather than the familiar fractional format viewed with UK bookies. You may want to only consider sportsbooks that offer the conversion of decimals to fractional odds.
-
Consider your preferred currency options so that you don’t lose money through exchange rate fees when making a deposit. As Swedish betting sites legally have to accept payments in Swedish krona, you may wish to find an operator that uses Euros and the British Pound.
Popular Payment Methods for Swedish Bettors
You can fund your online Swedish betting account through various options. Trustly, e-wallets NETELLER, PayPal, and Skrill, alongside Mastercard and Visa are the most popular payment services in the country.
Euros and the Swedish krona are accepted at the majority of bookies. You can set your account to accept either currency when signing up to avoid paying exchange fees.
Deposits and withdrawals are free of tax, so no extra charges will affect your winnings. You may be asked to verify your identity when you register or before you initiate a withdrawal, which involves submitting copies of documents such as a driver’s licence or passport.
Live Betting in Sweden
Lightning-fast live betting is widespread on Sweden betting sites for major sporting leagues and tournaments, with football being the top choice.
Yet, you can bet on a wide assortment of live in-play and pre-game sports, with bet365 providing an extremely comprehensive range. We recommend checking out the live betting features at LeoVegas and Unibet, both serving up terrific football, basketball, table tennis, and tennis live bets.
Betsson, with headquarters in Stockholm, is excellent for live bets on ice hockey and volleyball. Mr Green is an exceptionally good site for ice hockey live bets, including top-flight sports betting markets from Canada, Russia, and Sweden.
Livestreaming
Rapid livestreaming is prevalent on top online betting sites in Sweden for leading sporting competitions and events. Football is the overwhelming favourite, closely followed by real-time events for horse racing, ice hockey, and tennis.
There are some livestreaming sports and competitions that are particularly popular among Swedish bettors, namely handball, the Nordic nation’s top-flight football, and ice hockey leagues.
Some livestreamed events in Sweden may not be available for UK-based punters due to restrictive sports broadcasting rights.
How To Bet Online in Sweden
Betting online with Swedish bookmakers is not that different to placing a wager in the UK. There are different rules and regulations in place, but the basic steps remain the same. The process involves selecting your preferred bookie, creating an account, depositing funds, placing your bets, and withdrawing your winnings.
When you fancy placing a bet with one of the online betting sites in Sweden, it is advisable to initially place a punt on something you know about. You should explore the various ways to bet on your favoured sport and then identify the ideal bookmaker to suit your needs and interests.
You can hit the jackpot when you find a Swedish sportsbook that offers competitive odds for your preferred markets, as well as providing some live betting features such as cash-out, in-play, and livestreaming.
Follow our step-by-step guide on how to bet on Swedish online betting websites:
To choose a bookmaker, compare the sports covered (events, games, and tournaments), the deposit/withdrawal conditions, whether there is a welcome bonus, and your preferred choice of currency. The Sweden krona will be automatically offered.
Create your sports betting account by filling in the registration form and claim any welcome bonus, if available.
The operator will email you the link to access your account, which you need to verify.
Pick a payment method in the cashier section, then make the minimum deposit required.
Scroll through the sports section to find what you want to place a wager on.
Choose your preferred market, research the sports events and available odds.
Select the competition/event/game that you wish to place a stake on.
Place your bet(s) by adding your selection to the betting slip.
Enter your wager and then check everything before submitting your bet slip.
Other Country Betting Guides — Click Each Flag To Learn More
ThePuntersPage Final Say
From a punter’s perspective, placing a wager on an online betting site in Sweden offers the advantage of no gambling tax and access to all popular sports. Ice hockey fans are very well catered for, and football bettors can dip in and out of the Swedish March-to-November season, which differs from most leading European leagues.
With strict regulation by the Swedish Gambling Authority, you can rest assured that you are safe when using one of the top online betting sites Sweden has to offer.
Sweden Resources
Want to gather additional information pertaining to sports betting in Sweden? Here are some useful web sources:
-
1.
Sweden Gambling Act: Official document from the government to regulate sports betting in Sweden
-
2.
Sweden Gambling Tax: Legislative norms affecting income taxation related to sports betting
Best Sweden Betting Sites FAQs
bet365 and LeoVegas are among the best betting sites in Sweden.
Yes, online betting in Sweden is legal. The government has issued licences to foreign and local betting sites that provide services to Swedish punters.
The Swedish Gambling Authority is responsible for regulating online sports gambling in Sweden.
Regulated online betting sites in Sweden must accept the Swedish krona, while most operators also accept euros, British pound, and other Scandinavian currencies.
No, deposits and withdrawals with online bookies in Sweden are tax-free, so there are no extra charges to pay on your winnings.
Visa and Mastercard are the most used payment methods in Sweden, but Trustly is also a very popular option alongside other e-wallet platforms like PayPal, NETELLER, and Skrill.