Sweden has always been amongst the top echelons of sporting achievement and competitiveness. The country is relatively small compared to most other nations, with a population density of near 10 million people. What this tells us, is that sports are supported and more engaged per person, putting Sweden into the top five countries in Europe when it comes to this interest.
This is an important factor when looking into the politics that surround the Swedish sports betting laws. You have a minor population, of which 1 in 5 people engage with sports, and there is a growth in the market of sport betting casinos booming online.
How are all the pieces of the puzzles fitting together for those in Sweden?
Sports betting in Sweden only became legalized back in 2002, somewhat late when compared with the rest of Europe. Where is it now? Let’s introduce you to the world of online sports betting from inside Sweden.
Sports Betting in Sweden
The online sports betting market in Sweden is regulated by Svenska Spel. They are a state-run service that makes gambling in Sweden a monopoly as there are no businesses within the Swedish borders that are able to contribute to the market. This is because of the current laws in Sweden, which are pretty much the same for a vast majority of countries in Europe.
This approach has been challenged numerous times by the European Union who have a more relaxed approach to the ideas of online gambling and the services that can be made available.
Also Read: Top Tips for Betting in Football
Oddly, all the best betting sites online are actually from within Europe and registered on the Island of Malta, who have their own governing body called the Malta Gaming Authority. They are the largest regulatory body and licensor in the world.
For Swedes to engage in online betting, they must venture into ‘foreign’ casinos outside of Sweden.
Most Popular Sports to Bet On
In Sweden, the standout sport is football, but there are plenty of other diverse games that take national interest. Handball, rugby, motorsports, basketball, and ice hockey are amongst the more loved sports of this nation.
These games of interest are all readily available as markets within the best betting sites online. In fact, the average online bookmaker host over 20 international sports to cover the interests of global users.
Football comes with hundreds of markets alone, making it the biggest betting option online. In Sweden, it is thought that 68% of those already invested in sports betting choose football over other sports.
Swedish Betting Laws and Regulations
Sweden’s approach to gambling online can be put into two categories. You have the 1994 Lottery Act and the 1999 Casino Act.
With the Lottery Act, Swedish players have access to things like bingo, scratchcards, card games, roulette and slot machines, that can all be accessed within the country through licensed vendors only. Again, the only licensed vendors are state-owned businesses.
This is overlooked by the Gaming Board of Sweden who governs over licensing and gaming.
They can also support those from the non-profit charity groups that wish to use lottery gaming to help raise funds.
Under the Act’s laws, it is illegal for foreign lotteries to be advertised within Sweden. By the state having full control, it enables them to better target criminal activity or public welfare harm.
The Casino Act of 1999 was imposed for the purpose of land-based casinos. These establishments would be allowed to house table games, dice games, and card games, much like what the Lottery Act covers.
This Act was made to cover legal age limits, rules on record-keeping, gambler’s credit laws, and many other factors that come with running gambling operations.
In 2002, we are introduced to a new bill that amends the laws to include online gambling and the introduction to Svenska Spel, the licensing regulator for online betting companies.
Best Betting Sites in Sweden
So, of the Swedish betting sites out there, who are the best? We took a neutral stance on this and used the independent services of bettingonlinesverige.se who are Sweden’s number one comparison site service for online bookmakers.
Not only do they provide Swedes with reviews of the best online bookies open to the Swedish market, but they also casino reviews, gaming guides, and offer exclusive bonuses for Swedish players.
Here are the Top 5 Swedish Bookmakers that you should be joining this year:
- LeoVegas Sport
- Mr Green
- William Hill
- BetHard
- 888 Sport
Through these platforms, you can access sports betting via your mobile smartphone device. They also provide their members with live sports streaming, one of the must-haves, when taking advantage of the sports betting service online.
Picking the Right Online Bookmaker for You
Knowing where to play will require some research on your part. There are many sportsbooks besides the five listed above.
Many platforms are tied in with online casinos, therefore, offering additional games like table features and slot machines.
If you want to expand your possibilities of winning real money, then it’s a consideration to also think about what type of casino games you might like to play.
Sometimes your choices may be restricted to the kind of banking service you use. Not all casinos are the same, and not all banks provide the same transaction services. Make sure you check the casino’s payment service to see if you are able to meet payment methods for deposits and withdrawals.
Promotions are a big thing for new players, and the top 5 casinos above do host sports bonuses that can boost your bankroll. Sports bonuses are good as they often come wager-free, meaning no hidden costs for withdrawing wins.
Lastly, obviously pick the casino that is able to support you with markets for your favourite sport. Sports betting should only be done on games you know about. Betting on something you do not know, carries greater risks to your financial stability.
If you think you have the sporting knowledge and know your game, then put it to the ultimate test inside of Sweden’s top betting sites online.
