On December 1, 2025, the Spelinspektionen, Sweden’s Gambling Inspectorate, will introduce new regulations affecting the operation of slot machines in restaurants, bars, and leisure venues across the country. This regulatory update signifies a significant shift in Sweden’s gambling landscape, marking the most substantial changes since the 2018 Gambling Act. These measures form the initial phase of an anticipated comprehensive reform set for 2026.
Under the new rules, restaurants will be subject to stricter conditions for hosting slot machines. Specifically, only venues with an annual food and beverage turnover exceeding SEK 1 million (€100,000) can install slot machines. For every additional SEK 250,000 verified in sales, venues may add one additional machine. This restriction is designed to prevent businesses from becoming over-dependent on gaming revenue, ensuring that gambling remains a secondary activity rather than a primary profit source. The regulations explicitly state that slot machine income must not surpass earnings from food and beverage sales.
Spelinspektionen describes these amendments as a replacement for the outdated guidelines, introducing a “modernised framework” for hospitality gaming. Officially titled SIFS 2025:1 – Regulations and General Advice on Slot Machine Gaming, these rules supersede the previous LIFS 2018:9 guidelines. The updated framework requires that machines remain visible to staff and located within the licensed serving area. Additionally, machines must be turned off outside operating hours and should be positioned away from ATMs or secluded areas.
The new regulations apply equally to bingo halls and entertainment venues, where slot machines will only be operational during official play sessions and under strict supervision. Operators must provide clear player information, including license numbers, game fees, and resources for responsible gambling such as Stödlinjen, Sweden’s national helpline. Gaming staff will need to undergo training in the Gambling Act, focusing on player protection protocols and early intervention methods for problem gambling.
Camilla Rosenberg, Director General of Spelinspektionen, emphasized that these changes are part of a broader initiative to align land-based and online gaming standards. These efforts aim to ensure that slot gaming occurs in safe, supervised, and socially responsible settings. The regulator’s statement underscored the enhanced responsibilities for licensees and venues.
As Sweden gears up for 2026, Spelinspektionen has cautioned licensees that these changes are only the beginning of a major regulatory overhaul. The upcoming reforms aim to address issues such as illegal gambling, credit-funded play, and offshore operators. The expansion of the Gambling Act’s jurisdiction will empower authorities to act against companies accepting Swedish players even when based abroad. The Ministry of Finance supports eliminating the “directional criterion,” which previously restricted enforcement to operators targeting the Swedish market.
A groundbreaking move set for 1 April 2026 will see Sweden become the first EU nation to ban gambling with credit. This will prevent operators from accepting payments via credit cards, loans, or buy-now-pay-later services. The government asserts that this is a vital step to curb gambling-related debt and to reinforce responsible gambling protections.
Leadership of these initiatives falls to Johan Röhr, who took over as Acting Director General of Spelinspektionen in November 2025, indicating a new direction in regulatory oversight. With these reforms, Sweden’s gambling market is poised for significant transformation, seeking a balance between consumer safety and industry sustainability. The hospitality rule changes are merely the initial step in this comprehensive shift.
While the intentions behind these reforms are clear, some industry stakeholders express concerns about their potential impact. They argue that the stringent measures might lead to a contraction in the gambling sector, potentially affecting employment and economic contributions. However, others counter that the long-term benefits of responsible gambling practices and consumer protection justify these regulatory changes.
The upcoming reforms represent Sweden’s commitment to reshaping its gambling landscape before the dawn of a new decade. As the nation embarks on this path, the international community watches closely, with Sweden potentially setting a precedent for other countries grappling with similar gambling-related challenges.
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