Sweden to Abolish Land-Based Casinos by Beginning of 2026
Sweden’s national legislature, the Riksdag, has approved a measure to eliminate land-based casino gambling across the country.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The move will result in the closure of the last remaining Casino Cosmopol venue, which is located in Stockholm. In the announcement, parliament stated that brick-and-mortar casinos are no longer necessary in Sweden’s gambling industry. Lawmakers cited a steady decline in both visitor numbers and profitability at Casino Cosmopol sites.
Currently, Svenska Spel has exclusive rights to run land-based casinos in Sweden through its Casino Cosmopol brand. Under the new legislation, no other entities will be allowed to apply for casino licenses once the law is enacted.
The initial proposal to wind down Casino Cosmopol was introduced in May 2024. In keeping with the plan, the Riksdag has now confirmed the law will go into effect on January 1, 2026. After that date, physical casino operations will no longer be permitted anywhere in Sweden.
Svenska Spel Backs the Casino Shutdown
Svenska Spel has publicly supported the government’s decision. The company announced it will begin the process of shutting down its final Casino Cosmopol location, though it clarified that the Stockholm site will remain operational “until further notice”.
Ola Enquist, CEO of Casino Cosmopol, echoed the government’s sentiment and spoke of the growing dominance of online gambling as a major reason behind the decline of in-person casino gaming.
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.
More Casinos & Games News
Closure Planning and Employee Support Underway
At its peak, Casino Cosmopol operated four locations. However, the Sundsvall branch shut down in 2020, and the Gothenburg and Malmö casinos were permanently closed in January 2023. That leaves the Stockholm venue as the sole remaining physical casino in the country, with a staff of just under 240 people.
Enquist said discussions are already underway regarding how to manage the liquidation process and provide support for affected employees.
In 2024, Casino Cosmopol brought in SEK165 million (approximately $16.9 million), a 65% drop from the previous year, mainly due to the closures earlier in the year. By contrast, Svenska Spel’s lottery division, Tur, earned SEK5.14 billion over the same period.
Despite parliamentary approval, Sweden’s gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen, has previously raised concerns about the potential impact of removing land-based casinos. Last August, the agency warned that the move could produce growth in illegal gambling activities.
While Spelinspektionen stated it had “no substantive views” on the closure plan itself, it did highlight the need for increased funding to counter potential rises in unregulated gaming. The Swedish police authority has voiced similar concerns.
RELATED TOPICS: Casinos & Games
Latest News
Most Read
Must Read
Interviews
Sweepstakes Casinos: Thriving in an Ever-Changing Industry – Interview with Attorney Stephen C. Piepgrass
Feb 17, 2025
Interviews
Review this New Post
Leave a Comment
User Comments
Comments for Sweden to Abolish Land-Based Casinos by Beginning of 2026