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 thorough research and compile a list of the best online casinos catering to residents of Sweden today.
Swedish Gambling Regulation
Up until recently, all forms of physical and online gambling were legal in Sweden, even though the government has only ever granted one license – the lucky buggers being state-backed Svenska Spel. There were two relevant pieces of legislation which used to 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 kept receiving from the EU and member countries, for a long time nothing was changing. However, players were able to visit casino sites operating from other countries, deposit money into their online accounts and play games with real cash. As was the case with many other nations, Swedish gambling legislation has focused exclusively on operators and didn’t in any way criminalize the player’s online gambling activities.
However, a new gambling act was voted in June 2018 and entered into force in January 2019. In order to legally provide gambling services, operators have to apply for and obtain a license issued by the Swedish Gambling Authority. Operators still remain liable while players will not be subject to any sanctions, but they may have to pay tax on the resulting winnings. Payment service providers may be required to block transactions to and from unlicensed sites and will be penalized for failing to do so. The best online casinos catering to the Swedish market have applied for a license and some have already obtained it, so there’s a number of good options to keep gambling in a completely legit way.
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, whereas Pay and Play casinos give you the option to enjoy your favourite games without registering an account, provided you have a BankID.
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 a 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.
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