We bring you the best poker sites for players in Sweden
In the early 2000s, parallel to the global rise of online poker, the game started gaining traction among Swedes. The country quickly produced several online poker professionals who went on to achieve considerable success on international platforms.
Since the January 1st, 2019 online poker in Sweden became officially regulated, with every site wishing to offer their services requiring a licence. Poker fans in Sweden are not restricted to playing on a single site, and players from other countries are in the same player pool as those in Sweden.
One aim of Sweden implementing its gambling laws for all official online poker sites was to address any issues of security and thus provide a safe online poker experience. Strict measures put in place to facilitate more responsible gaming are a given, and introducing laws to protect players – who must be at least 18 to play at a Swedish poker room – is increasingly standard (or should be!) in an industry that constantly seeks to create a player-friendly environment.
Our experienced and expert team has tested the sites so that you don’t have to, and has taken into account important criteria:
- 24/7 Traffic across different game variants
- Fast Deposits and Cashouts
- Reliable and modern software
- Good Customer Support
- Rakeback
- Mobile Poker App
Because the change in the online poker landscape took place relatively recently, only a few poker sites actually have an official licence, with a number of operators deciding to withdraw from Sweden due to the high tax levels. However, as the situation evolves over time we can expect to see more poker rooms making themselves available.
In the meantime, by signing up through YourPokerDream to one of our Swedish partner sites you will receive exclusive YPD extras, access to Private Tournaments and some juicy Extra Rakeback!
Available poker sites for players from Sweden
Our recommendation goes to TigerGaming or BetOnline from the Chico Network. You have as deposit options only USDT or Bitcoin but you have a very soft player field and you can play without any restrications and normal rakeback via players from all over the world.
Some more poker sites and exclusive poker rakeback deals which are not listed here may be available via an agent deal. Be in touch with our support team to get further information!
FAQ Poker Sites Sweden
Legal situation and gambling paw in Sweden
-For many years, gambling in Sweden was a state monopoly. This meant that only state-owned entities could legally offer gambling services. Svenska Spel was the government-owned company that held exclusive rights to operate most gambling services, including online poker. They launched their online poker room in 2006.
Being a member of the European Union, Sweden faced pressure from the EU to open up its gambling market to competition, as the state monopoly was viewed as being at odds with EU free trade regulations. Despite this pressure, the state monopoly persisted for several years.
The Gambling Act of 2019
-In January 2019, a new regulatory framework came into effect in Sweden, ending the state monopoly on gambling. This was called the Gambling Act (Spellagen). International operators could now apply for licenses to offer online gambling services, including poker, to Swedish residents.
The Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen) was tasked with granting licenses and ensuring that operators adhered to local laws and regulations. The act emphasized responsible gambling and protection of players. Operators were required to provide tools for self-exclusion and limits, and strict regulations were placed on advertising and promotions to prevent problem gambling.
Alongside the new act, a national self-exclusion system, Spelpaus, was introduced. Players who feel they might have gambling problems can register here to exclude themselves from all licensed gambling activities. Advertising and marketing regulations became stricter, aiming to curb excessive advertising and misleading promotions.
While players are not explicitly penalized for playing on unlicensed sites, the government and the Swedish Gambling Authority have encouraged players to play only on licensed platforms for their safety and protection. Moreover, measures have been put in place to block transactions and access to unlicensed gambling sites.
While the licensing system has allowed international operators into the Swedish market, there have been concerns. Some operators argue that the strict regulations and high taxes might deter companies from entering the market or push players toward unregulated sites.
Taxation
Licensed operators are subject to an 18% tax on their net gaming revenue from Swedish players. This taxation model was part of the incentive for operators to acquire a Swedish license, ensuring they operate within the legal framework.
