Best gambling destinations in Sweden: guaranteed excitement and entertainment

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Sweden may not be primarily associated with gambling, but it is still worth visiting one of the impressive casinos if you are already here. Land-based gambling was legalised in Sweden in 1964, but there are only three state-run casinos where games can be played. Real money casinos has also been officially authorised to operate on the Internet since 2002, so variety and diversity are on the agenda.

In this article, we want to introduce you to the gambling venues in Sweden and reveal more about the legal situation and what online casinos offer. As a gambling fan, you know where your next point of contact is in Sweden and what you have to pay attention to.

How is the gambling market regulated in Sweden?

Players may participate in various games of chance in Sweden. This includes lotteries, slot machines and table games as well as online gambling. Although gambling is legal in the Scandinavian country, there is a state gambling monopoly on land-based casinos. There are only three official casinos in the entire country, all of which are owned by the company Casino Cosmopol. Until recently, there was a fourth casino, Casino Cosmopol Sundsvall, which was the smallest of the four arcades and was permanently closed in 2020. But in these you will find excellent offers, which, in addition to a variety of slot machines, also include numerous table games and tournaments.

To visit a casino in Sweden, certain requirements must be met:

• Visitors must be at least 20 years old
• ID or passport must be presented
• One dress code applies - elegant clothes with closed shoes

Up to 50 per cent of gambling in Sweden is run by the state. Profits made by state-owned casinos flow directly to the state treasury.

These are the three major real-money casinos in Sweden

Let us introduce you to Sweden's three major gambling centres in more detail. These are located in the well-known cities of Stockholm, Malmö and Gothenburg. The requirements for entry to the casinos do not differ. The dress code must be met and an entry fee of 30 SEK must also be paid.

Casino Stockholm

The Swedish capital of Stockholm is home to the country's largest casino, right in the heart of the city at the the island of Norrmalm. Before the casino opened, the opulent Art Deco building served as a cinema and jazz venue in the 1930s. Today, classic table games such as roulette, blackjack, baccarat and poker as well as slot machines can be played on several floors. There are a total of 44 tables with classic table games and another 16 poker tables where variants such as Texas Hold'em No Limit, Pot Limit Omaha and Seven Card Stud Poker take place. There are over 400 modern online slots Jackpot Grill & Bar Lounge provides refreshments while you play.

Casino Malmö

In the south of the country, the harbour city of Malmö is a destination often visited by German citizens in particular. In the art park you will find the building of Cosmopol Malmö Casino on a historic site, which shines from the inside with a mix of modern, colourful and classic architecture. You can sit at a total of 32 tables playing roulette, blackjack, baccarat and poker. There are also 200 video slot machines available. The offer is complemented by an in-house restaurant and bar.

Casino Gothenburg

There is another Cosmopol Casino in the popular university city of Gothenburg. This one can be found in the centre of the old town near the waterfront. This historic building houses over 300 slot machines and jackpot slots. Table games like blackjack, poker, craps and roulette are also played on a total of 40 tables. There is a dedicated poker area with 18 additional tables where tournaments are often held. Another special feature is the range of electronic horse races.

Sweden's casinos in brief

Which casino is best for whom? Basically, the four arcades are not very different from each other. There are differences in the number of games, but each casino has a decent selection. Therefore, you do not need to make your visit to Sweden dependent on the choice of casino. By the way, small format games are also offered in smaller arcades and bars. But just like in Germany, there are only a few slot games available here. So let's take a quick look at the three casinos in Sweden:

Online gambling in Sweden - Is it legal?

The online gambling industry has become significantly more important over the last 20 years and now even overshadows land-based gambling. The reasons for this are varied, but mainly lie in the flexibility, versatility and convenience of online and mobile casinos. Internet gambling has been legal in Sweden since 2002. Even on Swedish television you will often see adverts from Swedish online casinos, but only from state-approved platforms. The requirements and conditions for online casinos are less strict than for land-based casinos.

Requirements and conditions for participating in online gambling in Sweden

Although you must be at least 20 years old to visit a land-based casino, players as young as 18 are allowed to participate in online gambling. However, one should ensure that online casinos are licensed, otherwise difficulties may arise with the controlling authority. It is generally recommended to only register with online casinos that have a valid European gambling licence. This is crucial for your own safety and provides more credibility when it comes to payments and other aspects.

There are well over 100 licensed gaming platforms on the Swedish market offering slot machines, table games and other instant games such as bingo and keno. One fact that distinguishes Swedish online casinos from others is that Swedish gambling laws stipulate that each player can only receive one bonus per casino. Most casinos will offer you a welcome bonus. However, to avoid being tempted to make excessive deposits, no additional bonuses are allowed for a player.

Sweden is home to major players in the gambling market

What really makes the Scandinavian country stand out in the gaming sector is the amount of software companies that were founded and are headquartered there. These are not small software companies, but rather some of the most famous and popular software in the world. Here is a small overview of the most important names:

• NetEnt: All gaming fans are familiar with NetEnt. After all, it is the main manufacturer of gaming software. The developer's games are available in all good online casinos. The brand has already developed several hundred slot machines that all impress with top quality, unique themes and innovative game features. Some of NetEnt's most famous titles include Gonzo's Quest, Starburst and Dead or Alive.
• Quickspin: Less known than NetEnt but still widely represented in the gaming market is the software from the Swedish company Quickspin. The company is characterised by high creativity and attention to detail. The developer's slot games have been on the international market since 2012 and inspire a large fan base. Some of the most popular games are Hidden Valley, Big Bad Wolf and Northern Sky.
• Yggdrasil: Yggdrasil entered the gaming market in 2013, but has only become well known in recent years. The company impresses with forward-thinking slots that come with detailed graphics and state-of-the-art gaming features that can't be found anywhere else. The Yggdrasil games that almost everyone knows include Vikings Go Berzerk, Valley of the Gods and Jungle Books.
• Thunderkick: Thunderkick is another Swedish developer that is mainly focused on innovations in gaming and places a high value on safe and fair gaming. Thunderkick has been on the gaming market since 2012 and has since released some unique games that we don't want to miss. These include high quality slots Midas Golden Touch, Esqueleto Explosivo and Pink Elephants.

As you can see, Sweden has a good position in the international gaming market with these well-known developers. No wonder why gaming as a hobby is a common topic among Swedes. However, the local arcades are less frequented. Most Swedish players, like many other international players today, rely on online gambling.

Conclusion: Is Sweden a good gambling destination?

Although Sweden plays an important role in the gambling market, this is not due to a huge range of land-based casinos. With only three state-owned casinos in Malmö, Gothenburg and Stockholm, the choice of gambling destinations is very limited. However, if you visit one of the beautiful cities, it is recommended to spend an evening at a local casino. Not only is there great entertainment but also historic buildings where the arcades are located and are really worth seeing. Overall, when it comes to gambling, Sweden is mainly characterised by the software companies based there.