Casinos without a break: What is keeping Swedish players away from the licensing system?

The number of Swedes who choose to play at foreign casinos without a connection to the Swedish Gambling Authority has increased significantly in recent years. These so-called "casinos without a Swedish license" mainly operate in jurisdictions such as Malta, Estonia or Curacao. Although the term may sound dubious, Swedish players are perfectly legal to use these services, but it does mean greater personal responsibility.

So what makes these casinos so attractive? And what pitfalls should you be aware of before you start playing? To find out, we interviewed Bruno, editor-in-chief of the website Casinoburst, which compares and thoroughly reviews various international casinos where you can play without a break.

– The main reason is the bonus offers. While Swedish casinos may only offer one bonus per player, foreign operators often offer generous welcome packages, VIP programs and ongoing promotions, says Bruno. They also avoid many of the restrictions that annoy Swedish players.

A licensing system that created two worlds

Since the introduction of the Swedish licensing system in 2019, casinos that want to target Swedish players have had to adhere to strict rules. These include:

• Mandatory registration via BankID
• Automatic access to game pause
• Deposit and terms
• Limitations on bonus offers

As a result, more and more players are turning to foreign alternatives. Casinos licensed by the following countries are particularly popular:

• Malta Gambling Authority (MGA)
• Estonian Tax and Customs Board (EMTA)
• Electronic gaming in Curacao

It is not illegal to play with these operators, but since they are not subject to Swedish law, the consumer protection offered by the Swedish Gambling Authority is insufficient.

“It is about freedom, but also about responsibility. If you play outside the Swedish system, you will have to find out for yourself what the rules are – both in terms of security and winnings and taxes,” says Bruno. You can find out more about high stakes slots in this guide.

What makes casinos with no downtime attractive?

According to Casinoburst, there are five main factors that prevent Swedish players from using casinos. The Gambling Authority:

• Generous bonuses – Multi-tiered bonuses of up to €5,000 and hundreds of free spins are not uncommon.
• Wide range of games – Many international casinos offer 5,000–8,000 games, which is more than most Swedish options.
• Easier registration – No BankID required. Registration is often done via email and password, which increases the sense of privacy.
• Playing despite Spelpaus – Players who have been disconnected through Spelpaus can still continue playing, as these casinos are not connected to the Swedish system.
• Fewer restrictions – International casinos rarely have deposit limits, three-second rules or time blocks.

Also read: Europa Casino as online entertainment

But there are risks

Freedom does not come without its drawbacks. The biggest problem, according to Bruno, is the lack of consumer protection:

– If you have problems with withdrawals, unfair terms or lost winnings, you have no Swedish authority to turn to. You will have to resolve the issue further – often in another country.

Another problem is the lack of knowledge about licenses. Casinoburst’s own research shows that up to 70% of players do not know which license their casino has. This can be decisive when it comes to tax issues.

Tax – what applies?

EU/EEA license (e.g. Malta, Estonia): Winnings for Swedish players are not taxed.

Non-EU license (e.g. Curacao, Anjouan): Winnings are taxed. 30% of the amount over 100 SEK must be declared to the Swedish Tax Agency.
– Many people don’t realize that winnings at Curacao casinos are actually taxable. The tax office is not obligated to pursue you, but if you misdeclare, there can be consequences, explains Bruno.

Payment and Availability

Since mid-2023, several Swedish banks have blocked transactions to unlicensed casinos. As a result, payment solutions such as:

• Visa/Mastercard
• Cryptocurrencies
• E-wallets (Skrill, Jeton, MiFinity)

Have become the standard among these players. However, Trustly , Swish or Zimpler no longer work in most foreign casinos.