You might like it or get irritated by the fact that your lovely country is universally recognised as the home of IKEA, ABBA and meatballs. But when we enter the online casino gaming world, suddenly the mention of Sweden creates a very different association. We all know who we have to thank for some of the best software available to online players today, enabling us to enjoy products by world-famous NetEnt, NYX Interactive, Play’n GO, Quickspin, ELK Studios and Thunderkick, or slightly lesser known OMI Gaming, Arcadelia, and Entraction. Tusen tack, Sweden!
In view of this situation, it’s perhaps a bit unusual that your country should choose to exercise a monopoly when it comes to gambling service providers. On the other hand, while trying to protect your interests, the Swedish government doesn’t actually stop you from playing anywhere in the world via the Internet, and there are plenty of operators which will roll out a red carpet to welcome you to their sites.
Of course it’s great to be offered tons of options, but such an abundance could make the decision on where to play a bit difficult. Or it would, if Casino Bloke wasn’t there to undertake a thorough research and compile a list of the best online casinos catering to residents of Sweden today.
Swedish Gambling Regulation
While in theory all forms of physical and online gambling are legal in Sweden, providing the operator holds a special license, the government has in reality only ever granted one – the lucky buggers being state-backed Svenska Spel. There are two relevant pieces of legislation which regulate gambling activities: the 1994 Lotteries Act giving the full authority to issue licenses and ensure games are properly run to the Gaming Board of Sweden, and the 2002 Amendment which was added to address online gaming.
Even after years of discussions on whether other (international) operators should be allowed to legally offer their services to Swedish gaming community, and despite the criticism Swedish government keeps receiving from the EU and member countries, to date nothing has changed. However, by no means does it prevent you from visiting casino sites operating from other countries, depositing money into your online accounts and playing the games for real cash. As is the case with many other nations, Swedish gambling legislation focuses exclusively on operators and doesn’t in any way criminalise the players’ online gambling activities.
Banking Methods
While Casino Bloke was out touring the online gaming world, he was not only looking for a safe and fair place for you guys to play at, with tons of games and best promotional deals on offer; he was also checking which banking methods are at your disposal once you decide to start betting real cash.
Your gambling pal knows Swedes like to make online payments by credit cards, and you’re sure to be offered that option pretty much anywhere. Same goes for the two popular E-wallets, Skrill and Neteller. So he focused on identifying sites whose banking sections additionally feature Nordea, the leading Nordic bank which provides safe online banking service to millions of Swedish customers, and offers Nordea Mobile Bank app to use on smartphones and tablets.
Other payment methods he thought you’d appreciate include Trustly which will allow you to make a deposit in 3 simple steps, a prepaid virtual Visa card called Entropay, and iDebit which enables secure, real–time payments without a credit card. For the benefit of those who like gambling while away from home, the list of the best online Swedish casinos was made to include operators who additionally offer mobile payment options such as PayForIt and Boku.
Currency
On top of being able to use your favourite online payment method, obviously you’ll prefer to pay and receive money in your own currency. Swedish Krona might not be as widely represented as Euro, GBP or USD, but there are a number of operators which will let you make deposits, play and collect cash in SEK. Not to worry, Casino Bloke has found them.
Software & Games
Did we mention how thankful we are for each and every game developer Sweden has graced us with? (This is a rhetorical question, not a sign that Casino Bloke suffers from Alzheimer’s.) Obviously, you’ll have plenty of others to choose from when looking to play online slots, table and card games, as well as those featuring live dealers, but we think it’s only right to dedicate this space to your fellow Swedes.
NetEnt is without doubt one of the best known names within the industry. This is not only because they’ve been entertaining us since 1996, but also thanks to their impressive gaming library and numerous mega-popular slot titles. Making sure to deliver equally well across different game categories, the company consistently provides high quality products in terms of technology, design and content. Casino Bloke would confidently bet his monthly paycheck that there is not a single online gamer in the world who has not heard of Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest, or Jack and the Beanstalk.
Same goes for Foxin’ Wins, Doctor Love, Medusa II, and a number of other visually outstanding Nyx titles which come with engaging gameplay and creatively executed features. Winner of many reputable industry awards, Nyx Interactive is not only one of best online casino games suppliers, but does an equally good job of developing software for land-based gambling establishments.
Somewhat younger but still highly experienced Play’n GO offers a complete assortment of online casino games, all performing above board when it comes to quality of production, creativity and the entertainment value. Could there be anyone out there who has not enjoyed helping Hugo find the treasure chamber and save his bellowed Hugolina from the clutches of the wicked witch Afskylia? Or anyone has not appreciated the uniqueness of hip-hop themed Pimped, fun and weird Grim Muerto, and action-packed adventure provided by Eye of the Kraken?
Being significantly junior to those mentioned above, ELK Studios, Quickspin and Thunderkick obviously cannot compete when it comes to the number of games in their respective portfolios. But they do each bring something new to the table, claiming their right to stand proudly next to the veterans of the online gaming scene.
ELK Studios focus on mobile gaming market and uses state-of-the-art technology combined with advanced mathematical models to deliver products which differentiate them from the competition. This innovative developer is known for their unique Game On feature and Betting Strategies, as well as highly popular video slots like Bloopers, Electric Sam and Taco Brothers.
Quickspin makes sure only first rate slots come out of their games factory, wowing us with stunning graphics, engaging stories, fun and interactive features, and a lot of attention given to details. As a result, we get to enjoy titles such as Big Bad Wolf and Supernova.
Slot specialist Thunderkick delivers unique and creatively executed themes, as can be seen in Babushkas, Frog Grog, Esqueleto Explosivo and Turning Totems. You will definitely not get a déjà vu feeling when switching from one of their games to another, nor ever think them a copycat borrowing from the more experienced guys out there.
UK
SWE
AUS
NZD
SA
USA
Check out our selection of up-and-coming gaming venues that seem destined for success. Casino Bloke reviews a host of new online casinos every year, but only the very best will find a place on our list.
We present you a list of reputable online casinos that pay special attention to their VIP customers. Find the best sites with high wagering limits, special deals for high rollers and rewarding loyalty programs.
Online casinos that offer fast withdrawals are becoming increasingly popular and it is not difficult to understand why. With that in mind, Casino Bloke presents you his selection of top fastest paying casinos.
Casual gamers and novice players just love casinos that feature no deposit bonuses and Casino Bloke feels very much the same. Visit our No Deposit Casinos section to check them out and find the best deals.
Live dealer games have taken the online gaming industry by storm and rightly so. Visit our dedicated page to find out the very best live casinos and you will be chatting with attractive croupiers in no time.
Casino Bloke has dedicated this section to his mobile gaming fans and those who prefer playing casino games on the move. Check out the best mobile casinos to enjoy special perks and benefits.