Sweden’s online gambling market has been the largest share of unregulated gambling in the country for over a decade. According to a 2019 survey, over 30 percent of Swedes claimed they gamble weekly, and more than 50 percent said they gamble or play the lottery every month.
It’s not surprising that unregulated sports betting is popular in Sweden considering that the regulated market is presently a monopoly. While online sports betting is legal, it is currently operated by a single provider, restricting competition and choice for players.
Luckily, that situation changed in 2019 due to the new Swedish Gambling Act. Learn more about the present regulated market and how it will change in the future. Also, learn more about the popular sports to bet in Sweden and how you can fund your online sportsbook account.
Sweden Betting Sites
Prior to the 2019 Swedish gambling legislation, the only regulated sports betting site in Sweden was Svenska Spel. It accounted for 75 percent of the gross gambling revenue in Sweden, but many players still gambled at international sportsbooks.
Why is that? Sports bettors want variety, and a single site often will not present adequate action. International sportsbooks allow access to more games and more leagues than Svenska Spel. They also allow for a broader array of odds. International sportsbooks allow odds ranging from fractional odds to Malay odds, Hong Kong odds and more.
Bettors prefer unlimited options for betting, and international sportsbooks allow such. You can place bets based on point spreads, moneylines and even straight bets. Also, you can play home/away bets, parlays, teasers and much more. Whatever your preference, you can find the best sportsbook to suit your needs.
Several other sites and companies have received licenses since January 1 2019, but international sportsbooks also offer more options for promotions. Shop around to see which offers the best welcome or sign-up bonus. Some sites may even provide free bets or other excellent promotions to give you more value for your deposit. Sign-up offers can be found in the promotions section of each sportsbook.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Sweden?
Online sports betting was officially legalized in 2002 when the Swedish government authorized Svenska Spel to serve as the sole provider for legal online gambling in the country.
In 2017, the government began plans to open up Sweden’s borders to international sportsbooks. In 2018, the Swedish Gaming Authority announced that it would start taking applications for licenses from international sportsbooks. And starting in 2019, only sportsbooks that were licensed could legally take bets from Swedish players. In December 2018, the Swedish Gaming Authority announced they had already received 88 applications for licenses.
What are Popular Sports to Bet on In Sweden?
Not surprisingly, football is the most popular sport to bet in Sweden. The first division of Swedish football generates the most action from bettors, but there is plenty of interest in international football leagues such as the English Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A.
Hockey generates a lot of action as well with the Swedish Elite League creating the most interest. Other hockey leagues, especially the NHL, take a lot of bets from Swedes.
Golf, handball and gymnastics also generate their share of bets from Swedes. Combat sports such as boxing and MMA are popular as well.
Do Bettors Have to Pay Taxes on their Winnings?
No, sports bettors do not have to pay taxes on winnings. The only gambling presently taxed is online poker, which is taxed at 30 percent if players play on sites outside of the EU.
Taxation laws on players did not change under the new regulated market that started in 2019, but there were new taxes imposed on companies. Under the new system, licensed sportsbooks will pay an 18 percent tax on gross gaming revenue. The lack of taxation makes Sweden one of the most attractive places to bet sports online in the world.
How to Make a Deposit At a Sportsbook in Sweden
Depositing to a sportsbook from Sweden is an easy process with multiple options for bettors. Credit cards are a popular option, but some banks may block gambling transactions due to the present legal climate. Banks will likely change their policies once the open regulated market starts in 2019. For now, if your credit card deposit is declined, you will have to use an alternative method. Many players use e-wallets to make their sportsbook deposits. Neteller and Skrill are the kings of e-wallets with the majority of global gambling sites accepting them for payments.
Another option available to Swedes is mobile-oriented processors. PugglePay and Siru Mobile will allow you to deposit to sportsbooks and other gambling sites from your mobile phone. Your deposit is added to your cellphone bill.
Other methods to fund your account include Nordea and Trustly. These services will transfer funds directly from your bank account to the sportsbook.
Mobile Betting Options
Online sportsbooks in Sweden allow you the option to make bets on your mobile devices. The most common form of mobile betting sites is browser-based sites. These mobile-optimized websites will enable you to bet on your device’s mobile browser.
Browser-based betting is the perfect option for those looking to avoid installing additional apps to their phones. It is also great for those who have devices such as Windows Phones that are generally unsupported by most sites offering mobile apps.
The other primary advantage to browser-based betting is that you have the same functionality as the PC version of the site. Mobile apps generally have reduced features.
Whatever site you choose, make sure you check their mobile promotions. Many places offer exclusive offers for mobile players, including special deposit bonuses and free bets. Sometimes you can use these offers in conjunction with standard offers available to PC users. Log in to your account via your mobile device and head to the promotions section for more information on mobile offers.
