Vad skiljer svenska och utländska casinon åt? En jämförelse

Writer: Co-operation partner

The world of gambling is bigger than ever, and the number of casinos offering games to Swedish players has increased significantly. But what really distinguishes Swedish casinos from foreign alternatives? The differences can be significant and affect everything from security and payment methods to bonuses and game offerings.

Table of contents

Licences and security

One of the most fundamental differences between Swedish and foreign casinos is the licence. Swedish casinos are licensed and regulated by the Swedish Gambling Authority, which means strict requirements regarding bonuses and intensity of games. These casinos must comply with Swedish gambling legislation and are thus obliged to adhere to mandatory betting limits and deposit restrictions.

Foreign casinos, on the other hand, are licensed in other jurisdictions, such as Malta, Curacao or Gibraltar. These casinos do not have to follow the same rules, which usually means more bonuses, games without the 3-second rule and higher RTP, but also slightly lower protection in case of disputes.

Payment methods and withdrawals

A common misconception is that using popular payment methods like Trustly at foreign casinos is easy. However, the fact is that there are no foreign casinos with Trustly. The popular payment method is only available at casinos with a Swedish licence. This means that Swedish players who choose foreign casinos must use alternative payment solutions such as card payments, e-wallets or cryptocurrencies.

Swedish casinos usually offer faster and smoother withdrawals, often within minutes using BankID verification. At foreign casinos, withdrawals can take longer, sometimes several days, and the verification process can be significantly more complicated and require documentation.

Bonuses and promotions

Another clear difference is the bonuses and promotions. Swedish casinos are limited by law to offering only a single bonus per player at the time of registration and soon only up to 100 kr. These rules were introduced to protect players from excessive gambling.

Foreign casinos, on the other hand, can offer significantly more and bigger bonuses, loyalty programmes and promotions. This means that many players are attracted to foreign casinos for the opportunity to take advantage of more generous offers.

Range of games and game developers

When it comes to the range of games, both Swedish and foreign casinos usually offer a wide range. However, the range sometimes differs depending on the licence and regulations.

Both markets often have agreements with well-known developers such as NetEnt, Play'n GO and Evolution Gaming, while foreign casinos also offer games from lesser-known or newer developers that are not always available in the Swedish market because game developers need to search for licence for gambling software in Sweden.

Another difference is that foreign casinos often have a wider range of game categories, such as virtual sports, crypto games and sometimes even lotteries, which are usually not available at casinos with a Swedish licence.

Customer support and service

Swedish casinos usually offer Swedish-speaking support, often available around the clock, making it easy for players to get quick and convenient help in their native language.

At foreign casinos, support is usually provided in English or another language, as Swedish rules do not allow them to offer customer service in Swedish. This can create communication difficulties for Swedish players who do not feel comfortable using other languages.

Tax issues and profits

An important difference between Swedish and foreign casinos is the taxation of winnings. Winnings from Swedish casinos are always tax-free, meaning that anything you win is yours to keep. This is thanks to the fact that the casinos are licensed in the EU/EEA area and pay taxes in Sweden.

For foreign casinos this can vary widely. If the casino is licensed in the EU/EEA, winnings are usually tax-free. However, if the casino is licensed outside this area, for example in Curacao, the player is obliged to declare and pay tax on the winnings.

Restrictions and self-exclusion

At Swedish casinos, players have the option of easily suspending themselves via Spelpaus, a national self-exclusion service. A suspension via Spelpaus applies to all Swedish casinos, which is an important part of the work for responsible gambling.

Foreign casinos do not offer access to Gamble Pause. They often have their own self-exclusion solutions, but these are limited to individual casinos and thus do not provide the same comprehensive protection for the player.

Why do players choose foreign casinos?

Despite some disadvantages, many Swedish players still choose to play at foreign casinos. The main reasons are bigger bonuses, a wider range of games and fewer restrictions on deposits and games.

For most people, Swedish casinos are often the most common choice. But for the player looking for greater choice, new gaming experiences and bigger bonuses, foreign casinos can be an attractive option. Whatever the choice, it is important to be aware of the differences that exist in order to make an informed decision.