Spelinspektionen, the Swedish gambling regulator, estimated that the channeling rate to the regulated market was 85 percent. This figure covered the previous year. That would be a decline of one percentage point from 86 per cent in 2023.
The channeling rate measures how much of Swedes’ gambling happens with licensed operators instead of unlicensed ones. The latest estimate uses a new methodology. It combines a survey of 5,767 gamblers with internet traffic data from 2,032 unlicensed sites.
Of note, the regulator highlighted variations in the channelling rate among various gambling verticals. Estimates put online casino channeling at 72 to 82 percent. Betting reached a higher rate of 92 to 96 percent. Yet, the regulator noted that only a small number of unlicensed sites were actively targeting the market.
The channelling rate was estimated to be less than 50 per cent, the regulator recalled that before the current licensing system was introduced in 2019.
Director General Camilla Rosenberg said experts estimate the 2024 channeling rate at 85 percent. This shows that most Swedish gambling takes place with licensed operators. Only a small share of traffic to unlicensed websites comes from sites the regulator deems to be actively targeting Sweden without a license, which it classifies as illegal gambling through prohibition orders.
Spelinspektionen announced in August that it had formally banned a trio of unlicensed operators from targeting Swedish players. Authorities issued the latest banning order against Liquid Entertainment NV.
According to the regulator, it launched a supervisory case against the Curaçao-registered company after suspicions arose that the website duelbits.com was giving gaming to the Swedish market without a local license.
