Responsible Gambling

Responsible gambling means that gambling for money stays a form of entertainment you are in control of – with a budget you can afford to lose, limits you have set yourself and a plan for what to do if your gambling starts to feel wrong. Here we go through the tools you have as a player in Sweden, how Spelpaus (the national self-exclusion register) works, which warning signs to watch out for and where you can get help.

18+ Gambling for money is prohibited for anyone under 18, and every casino with a Swedish licence must verify your age and identity before you are allowed to play. KasinoHitta is aimed exclusively at readers aged 18 and over.

What responsible gambling means in practice

Casino games are entertainment that costs money, much like a cinema ticket or a concert. Every game has a built-in advantage for the casino, and in the long run players lose more than they win. You cannot gamble your way to an income, and no system or strategy changes that.

A few basic rules make a big difference:

• Set a budget before you start and see it as a cost, not an investment.
• Never gamble with money meant for rent, bills or food.
• Do not chase losses. Raising your stake to win back what you have lost is one of the clearest signs that gambling is starting to take over.
• Do not gamble when you are sad, stressed or under the influence of alcohol.
• Decide in advance how long you will play and take regular breaks.

Since 1 May 2026 an extended ban on gambling on credit has also applied. Operators with a Swedish licence may not allow or help gambling to be funded with credit, and credit cards must be blocked as a payment method. The ban covers all forms of borrowing, including loans from family and friends – and borrowed money should never be used for gambling.

Gambling limits – the tools available at every Swedish casino

Spellagen (the Gambling Act) requires casinos with a Swedish licence to give you tools to limit your gambling. The following must be available at every licensed operator:

• Deposit limit: When gambling online, you must set an upper limit on your deposits per day, week and month. The operator must make sure the limit cannot be exceeded.
• Time limit: You must be able to choose whether to limit your login time and, if so, for how long. It is optional, but a good way to keep track of how much time gambling takes up.
• Self-exclusion: You can exclude yourself from an individual operator for a set period or until further notice. An exclusion until further notice cannot be lifted until after 12 months. Online casinos must also offer an immediate 24-hour exclusion.
• Self-assessment test: The operator must offer a test that lets you assess your own gambling habits.

Note how changes to limits work. If you lower a limit, the change applies immediately, but if you raise it, the new limit takes effect after 72 hours at the earliest. The delay exists so that a decision to gamble more is not made in the heat of the moment. If you set a deposit limit above 10,000 kronor a month, the operator must also contact you.

Consider setting your limits lower than you think you need. You can always lower them immediately, while an increase takes at least three days.

Spelpaus – exclude yourself from all licensed gambling

Spelpaus is the national self-exclusion register and is run by Spelinspektionen (the Swedish Gambling Authority). When you register, you are excluded from all gambling that requires registration with operators holding a Swedish licence – online, in shops, at trotting tracks and on Vegas gaming machines. Operators may also not send you direct marketing for as long as the exclusion applies.

You choose how long the exclusion should last:

You sign up on the Spelpaus website and confirm with an electronic ID, such as Mobile BankID or Freja eID+. Anyone without an electronic ID can use a paper form. Bear in mind that an exclusion cannot be undone or ended early, and that a new exclusion cannot be shorter than the time remaining on the one you already have.

Spelpaus does not cover general advertising, nor gambling sites without a Swedish licence. Such sites are not connected to the register, and they also lack the protection Swedish law gives you.

Warning signs to take seriously

Gambling problems often creep up on you, and they can be hard to spot in yourself. That is why it is good to know the most common signs:

• You gamble with more money or for longer than you had decided.
• You try to win back money you have lost.
• You hide your gambling or lie about how much you spend on it.
• You borrow money, or consider doing so, in order to gamble.
• You become restless or irritable when you try to cut down.
• Gambling affects your work, studies, sleep or relationships.
• You gamble to avoid thinking about problems or to ease anxiety.

If you recognise yourself in one or more of these points, it is a good moment to take a break, do the self-assessment test at your operator or talk to someone straight away.

Stödlinjen and other routes to help

Stödlinjen is a national helpline for anyone with questions about gambling for money. It is run by the Stockholm County healthcare area within Region Stockholm, with support from Folkhälsomyndigheten (the Public Health Agency of Sweden).

• Phone: 020-819 100
• Opening hours: weekdays except public holidays – Monday 9–19, Tuesday and Wednesday 9–17, Thursday 11–19 and Friday 9–15. Closed at weekends.
• Languages: Swedish, English and Arabic, and with an interpreter in more than 100 languages.

There is also a chat service, which you will find along with more information on Stödlinjen’s website. Do not wait until the problems have become serious – it is never too early to call.

Only play at casinos with a Swedish licence

Everything described on this page – deposit limits, self-exclusion and Spelpaus – only applies at operators with a Swedish licence. That is why KasinoHitta only writes about licensed casinos. You can check for yourself whether an operator holds a licence in Spelinspektionen’s licence register.

The licence also gives you other protections. Your account is linked to your identity, a bonus may only be offered the first time you play, and winnings from operators with a Swedish licence are tax-free for you as a player.

If you want to understand how bonuses, wagering requirements and the Swedish gambling rules work, we have gathered explanations in our casino guides. Knowing the terms makes it easier to make informed decisions.

If someone close to you gambles too much

Gambling problems often hit family and friends as hard as the person who gambles. Try to raise the subject at a calm moment, without accusations, and say specifically what you have noticed. Avoid paying off debts for the person who gambles, as that rarely solves the problem.

You do not have to carry the worry alone. Stödlinjen also answers questions from relatives and friends, and you can call without the person who gambles knowing about it.

Frequently asked questions