Sweden will push a bill banning credit cards for gambling by April 2026 to curb rising gambling-related debt.
The Swedish government has published legislation introducing a blanket ban on using credit for gambling, set to take effect on April 1, 2026. The new rules extend existing restrictions under the Swedish Gambling Act, which already prohibit players from gambling with credit from licensed operators.
The bill aims to close loopholes that currently allow players to use borrowed money, including bank loans, overdrafts, and third-party credit, for gambling purposes. Next year, licensees and gambling agents must block credit-based transactions and take proactive measures to prevent gambling with credit. This includes stopping credit card payments and avoiding promotion of third-party lenders to customers.
The government allows limited exceptions for gambling products designed to provide public benefit, such as charity lotteries. “The requirements shall apply to all forms of gambling subject to licensing and regardless of how the game is provided,” the statement said.
Enforcement will fall to the regulator Spelinspektionen, supported by the Finansinspektionen, the financial supervisory authority, and the Konsumentverket consumer agency. Penalties for violations could include fines, license suspensions, or, in severe cases, revocation of licenses.
Rising gambling debt in Sweden
The move responds to rising gambling-related debt in Sweden. The government referenced the Överskuldsättningsutredningen investigation, which highlighted the link between credit use for gambling and over-indebtedness.
The Swedish Enforcement Authority, Kronofogden, reported that consumer debt reached a record SEK138 billion ($14.7 billion) in January 2025. A survey by the Public Health Agency found that 3% to 4% of people aged 16 to 84 experience gambling problems, with slot machine and casino players accounting for 40% of these cases.
This legislation represents Sweden’s latest attempt to expand its credit ban. Previous efforts, including a February 2024 proposal, failed due to unclear definitions of “credit” and other regulatory concerns. The new bill appears more likely to pass.
In parallel, the government updated the Gambling Act to make all unlicensed operators illegal. Previously, loopholes allowed operators to target players in English and transact in euros. While stakeholders welcome the reforms, some warn that these measures alone may not fully address falling channelization rates in Sweden’s gambling market.
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