The Swedish gaming market
The Swedish gaming market is regulated due to the fact that games involving money can cause problems for individuals and society.
Organising lotteries requires permission and all licences are supervised by an authority.
Licences are granted by municipalities, county administrative boards, the Government and the Gaming Board for Sweden.
The Municipalities are responsible for licensing and compliance of local lotteries.
The County Administrative Boards are responsible for licensing and compliance of bingo and regional lotteries.
The Government grants licenses to ATG and Svenska Spel.
The Gaming Board for Sweden is responsible for granting other licences and for compliance.
What is a lottery?
A lottery is an event in which the outcome is determined by chance.
There are many different types of lotteries. Traditional paper lotteries, digital lotteries, automated games, bingo games, roulette and dice games, card games, chain letter games, sportsbetting and horsebetting.
Who can be granted a licence?
Licences for traditional lotteries and bingo games are primarily granted to non-profit associations that conduct activities for good causes.
Licences for restaurant casinos and gaming machines are granted to private actors.
The Government grants ATG and Svenska Spel licences for various kinds of lottery, gaming machines and betting.
Where does the money go?
The Swedish gambling and lottery market turns over a great deal of money. In recent years the turnover has been around SEK 40 billion per year.
The surplus from lotteries mainly goes to the Government and the benefit of good causes. Among other things the money goes to horse breeding, non-profit associations, and in that context primarily to children's and young people's sport.
Statistically, every inhabitant of Sweden who is over 18 years old gambles some SEK 5,000 every year. This is equivalent to about 2.5 % of disposable income. About half is returned to the players in the form of winnings.