Back in April 2025, the Riksdag (Sweden’s Parliament) made it official that Sweden will no longer be dealing with land-based casinos. This announcement came after the Parliament closed the last branch of Casino Cosmopol that was in Stockholm. According to the Parliament (of which it is true), physical casinos have reduced their profitability over time, and their relevance is slowly coming to an end.
Svenska Spel has been running the Casino Cosmopol brand and was given the role of liquidating its last remaining venue in Stockholm. Even though the ban was set to begin on January 1st, 2026, the Stockholm venue was closed down on April 24th, 2025. Technically, Svenska Spel could have kept the venue open until the end of the year, but closed ahead of time following the change in ownership instructions in Stockholm
As Sweden’s land-based casinos continue to close their doors, players are turning to digital alternatives. Platforms like bastaonlinecasinon.net provide comparisons of the best licensed online casinos, helping users navigate the regulated market safely.
The declining land-based industry
The Riksdag stated that land-based casinos were no longer serving their purpose, therefore it was unnecessary to keep them around. Previously, Casino Cosmopol had four locations: Gothenburg, Stockholm, Sundsvall, and Malmö. However, the Gothenburg and Malmö properties were closed earlier on in 2024, and the Stockholm venue was the only remaining operational site.
The decision to fully do away with land-based casinos was first proposed in May 2024 and the recent closure is the final blow. According to Ola Enquist, Casino Cosmopol’s CEO, it was understandable that the Government was taking such a stance, but the emotional impact was also real. Enquist stated that it was emotionally tough since it meant that the physical casino era is now done.
The casino has been struggling to attract visitors, and Enquist said that it was because of the rising popularity of online gambling.
Why have online casinos taken over?
Since the inception of the 2019 SGA’s Gambling Act, the online gambling scene in Sweden has been growing at a tremendous rate. According to statistics, the online gambling market’s annual revenue is anticipated to grow to roughly US$2.2 billion in 2025.
However, there is the problem of unlicensed gambling operators who divert the attention of players in the market. This is because these casinos offer some perks (like multiple bonuses) that have been limited by Sweden’s regulator.
Apart from that, what is the reason behind this massive increase, and why have people been moving towards online casinos more than land-based ones?
The convenience of online casinos
The biggest selling point of online casinos is the fact that you can operate them from the comfort of your home. Imagine bringing the whole casino floor to your room, without even having to dress up. If you wake up in the middle of the night and you want to play some craps, then you just have to log into an online platform and you are good to go.
As long as you have an Internet connection, you have no limits to an online casino. You could be moving from city to city or resting in a park in Stockholm, and you are guaranteed access to all the fun you could experience in a physical casino. Also, the introduction of live casino gaming made the gaming experience much more enjoyable. You get to interact with live dealers, which helps bring the casino experience to life.
The wide adoption of smartphones
Sweden is one of the countries where mobile phone concentration is higher than the total population. According to data by Data Reportal, the total number of cellular mobile connections active in the country was 14.8 million (139% of the total population). Additionally, there were 10.5 million individuals using the Internet in the country at the beginning of 2025.
With many people owning mobile phones, casino game developers have been taking advantage of the move. They are developing mobile-optimized sites and applications that appeal most to mobile users. This global trend has been dominating Sweden, even as DemandSage reports that 80% of gamblers all over the world use smartphones as their primary gambling device.
Smartphones are preferred because of their convenience, simple integration of payment methods, ease of use, and also fast access to social networks.
Bonuses, rewards and promos
Unlike physical casinos, online casinos offer a wide array of perks for new players, consistent players and high rollers. Welcome bonuses are a common trend among online casinos and are effective for attracting new players. They come in the form of free spins, no-deposit bonuses, match bonuses and minimum deposit bonuses. For loyal players, there are loyalty bonuses, seasonal bonuses and refer-a-friend bonuses.
These incentives give players the opportunity to increase their bankroll and potentially improve their winnings without having to spend a lot. Additionally, casinos run promotions and tournaments, giving players more opportunities to potentially win big prizes. This constant pouring of bonuses and rewards has been a major cause for people preferring online casinos.
The future of Sweden’s gambling landscape
It seems like the fate of Sweden’s gambling industry has already been sealed. All gambling activities are going online! The secretary general for Sweden’s BOS, Gustaf Hoffstedt, has commented that he believed the country’s land-based casino sector would have survived if the gambling market was not a monopoly. However, it feels like it is too late now.
Whether it’s a win or a loss for the gamblers in Sweden, it’s still too early to state. However, one thing is certain: the online gambling sector will only increase and there is no retrogression in it. Soon enough, players can expect to see more innovation in the online gambling sector, meaning that the industry will want to make it possible that people don’t feel a land-based casino void. Players are watching and the world is also waiting what future will bring to the iGaming sector in Sweden!