• Sweden’s gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen, has significantly upgraded its official money laundering risk assessment for the country’s gambling market.
• Online betting and commercial online gambling are now assessed as posing the “greatest” Anti-Money Laundering (AML) risk, due to high transaction volumes and the “apparent anonymity” of remote play.
• In a significant policy reversal, the money laundering risk for land-based commercial casino games has been raised from “low,” and the regulator will now review their long-standing exemption from AML rules.
• Spelinspektionen stated the new assessment was necessary to align with national and EU risk models and to combat Sweden’s growing problem with sophisticated organised crime.
• The new risk assessment is a clear signal that a new wave of stricter AML and player registration rules is being prepared for the Swedish gambling market.

A New, Higher Risk Profile for the Swedish Gambling Market

London, UK - 29th September 2025 - Sweden’s gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen, has published a new national risk assessment that significantly upgrades the threat level of money laundering (AML) within the sector. The updated report overturns previous, more benign judgments and is a direct precursor to a review of the country’s gambling regulation and compliance requirements.

The regulator has explicitly stated that the move is designed to harmonise its approach with the national and pan-European risk assessments for financial crime and to better address the challenges posed by widespread and “increasingly sophisticated” organised crime in Sweden.

Online Betting Singled Out as ‘Greatest’ AML Risk

The new assessment places the digital sector firmly in the crosshairs. The regulator stated that “the risk of gambling being used for money laundering is greatest for commercial online gambling and online betting.”

The report highlights that these sectors “offer the possibility of high stakes and winnings as well as high turnover and accessibility,” while online accounts can be used to “store criminal proceeds.” The most common form of money laundering identified was the “consumption of criminal proceeds”-using illicit funds for recreational play-but the transfer and storage of funds were also flagged as major threats.

Casino AML Exemptions Under Review

In a major policy shift, Spelinspektionen has also reversed its position on smaller-scale, land-based commercial casino games, such as poker or blackjack offered in licensed venues. These had previously been assessed as “low” risk and were therefore exempt from many of Sweden’s money-laundering rules.

“ Risks for money laundering in commercial land-based casino gambling are no longer assessed as low,” the regulator declared. Crucially, it confirmed the direct consequence of this change: “ Spelinspektionen has initiated regulatory work to review exemptions from the requirement to apply the money laundering regulations as well as registration of players and agents.” This signals that new, tougher AML and player registration rules are now on the way for this part of the sector.

Aligning with a Tougher Stance on Organised Crime

The new risk assessment is a clear and unambiguous signal to all operators in the Swedish gambling market. Spurred by wider concerns about organised crime, Spelinspektionen is adopting a tougher and more scrutinising stance on AML compliance. The upgraded risk ratings are the first step, and a consultation on stricter gambling regulation is the inevitable next one. Stakeholders will now have an opportunity to provide comments on the proposed regulatory amendments.