On April 2, 2025, the Swedish Parliament, the Riksdag, made a historic choice to shut the nation’s final land-based on line casino, Casino Cosmopol, positioned in Stockholm. This choice comes after months of deliberation and is a part of a broader transfer to part out bodily playing in Sweden. The Riksdag’s vote marks the top of an period for land-based on line casino operations within the nation, with the ultimate closure scheduled for January 1, 2026.
The regulation stipulates that no new operators will probably be allowed to acquire licenses for bodily casinos, marking a transparent shift in direction of on-line gaming, which has seen a fast rise in reputation in recent times. The closure is in step with Sweden’s ongoing efforts to regulate the playing trade and reply to the declining profitability and customer numbers at land-based casinos.
Declining Popularity and the Rise of Online Gambling
Casino Cosmopol, which as soon as operated 4 areas throughout Sweden, has seen a gentle decline in each income and customer numbers. The on line casino’s operator, Svenska Spel, has acknowledged the altering panorama of the playing trade, attributing the decline to the fast growth of on-line casinos. In truth, Casino Cosmopol’s Stockholm location will stay open till the regulation takes impact in 2026, however the long-term way forward for the power is now in query.
Svenska Spel’s CEO, Ola Enquist, shared his ideas on the transition, stating, “We share the government’s assessment and have been prepared for the Riksdag’s decision. Nevertheless, it is of course emotionally tough because it means that an era will end when the casino in Stockholm eventually closes. Our focus right now is to support our employees and at the same time stay open and continue to take care of our guests.”
The closure of the on line casino marks the fruits of a sequence of shutdowns, beginning with the Sundsvall location in 2020, adopted by the Gothenburg and Malmö casinos in February 2024. The discount in land-based playing choices comes amid a big lower in income for the division, which noticed a staggering 65% drop in earnings from 2023 to 2024.
The Impact on Employees and the Gaming Market
Despite the choice, Svenska Spel is dedicated to supporting its workers through the transition. The on line casino’s closure is predicted to have an effect on roughly 240 employees, and negotiations with unions are underway to guarantee a easy liquidation course of. Svenska Spel can be working to promote the on line casino property at Kungsgatan 65 in Stockholm, with plans for the gross sales course of to start quickly.
While the closure of land-based casinos in Sweden is framed as a needed step in response to evolving shopper conduct and market dynamics, the choice has not been with out controversy. Sweden’s playing regulator, Spelinspektionen, has expressed issues that the closure may lead to a rise in unlawful playing, as gamers might hunt down unregulated alternate options. The police have additionally raised comparable issues, though each companies are but to remark instantly on the most recent developments.
A Shift in Gambling Regulations
The Swedish Gambling Authority, Spelinspektionen, has been vocal in its opposition to the elimination of land-based casinos, citing the potential rise in unlawful playing as a big threat. The regulator has additionally identified that it’ll want further assets to monitor unlawful playing actions, significantly as former on line casino patrons might flip to unauthorized venues.
This transfer to shut land-based casinos marks the top of a big chapter in Sweden’s playing historical past. As the nation adapts to the rising affect of on-line playing, the regulatory framework will probably proceed to evolve to make sure that gamers are protected and that the trade stays secure and truthful.
Source:
„State casinos to be discontinued“, Riksdagen, April 2, 2025.
