Sweden Pursues Expedited Authorization for Fresh Online Gambling Platforms
The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS) has been in discussions with the Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA) for nearly a year, aiming to streamline the approval process for innovative online casino games.
Gustaf Hoffstedt, secretary general of BOS, expressed hope that their dialogue and a recent letter to the SGA would mark "a big step in the right direction." Hoffstedt emphasized the importance of the licensed gambling market being able to quickly offer consumers new, attractive games, given the high pace of innovation in the industry.
The focus of these discussions revolves around a group of games that fall under the "other" category, which are harder to classify according to current regulations due to their mix of standard casino features and video game elements. BOS has asked the SGA to confirm that these new game types fall under the current casino definitions to speed up innovation.
BOS has also requested that the SGA allow licensees to offer games like crash formats with proper oversight. They have further asked for detailed guidance on crash games, arcade-style formats, video bingo, socially interactive live casino experiences, and game shows.
The association has also highlighted concerns about unclear regulations slowing down the rollout of new game types. BOS warns that when popular games aren't available through licensed channels, players often turn to the black market, posing potential risks to consumer safety.
Consumer safety is a growing concern in Sweden, with a 2025 survey finding that 72% of Swedish players couldn't tell licensed from unlicensed gambling sites. Hoffstedt emphasized the need for innovation and regulation to go hand in hand in the European gambling landscape over the next decade and a half.
The Swedish Gambling Authority has yet to publicly respond to BOS's request for simpler approval procedures for innovative online casino games. If this information is critical, you might consider consulting the official websites or press releases of the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS) or the Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA) directly for the most updated and authoritative details.
In addition, BOS represents 18 gambling companies and game developers in Sweden. The association has also asked the SGA to publish FAQs to clarify these points for operators and consumers alike.
- The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS) has requested the Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA) to clarify if a group of innovated games that mix standard casino features with video game elements falls under the current casino definitions.
- BOS has asked the SGA to allow licensees to offer crash formats, arcade-style formats, video bingo, socially interactive live casino experiences, and game shows with proper oversight.
- Consumer safety is a significant concern in Sweden, as a 2025 survey found that 72% of Swedish players couldn't differentiate between licensed and unlicensed gambling sites.
- BOS has emphasized the need for innovative games to be quickly offered to consumers given the high pace of innovation in the gambling industry.
- If innovative online casino games continue to face unclear regulations, players may turn to the black market, potentially posing risks to consumer safety.
