On April 2, 2025, Sweden’s Parliament (called the Riksdag) decided to shut down the country’s last land-based casino—Casino Cosmopol in Stockholm. This big decision means no more physical casinos will operate in Sweden after January 1, 2026.
Why Are Casinos Closing?
In the past, Casino Cosmopol had four locations across Sweden. But over the years, fewer people visited, and the money earned by these casinos dropped a lot. Many people now prefer gambling online, which is faster and easier to access.
Due to this change, the government has decided not to give any more licenses for physical casinos. This means no one can open a new land-based casino in the future. Instead, Sweden will focus more on online gambling, which is becoming more popular every year.
What Happens to the Casino and Its Workers?
Casino Cosmopol in Stockholm will stay open until the end of 2025. After that, it will close forever. This closure affects around 240 people who work there. The company that runs the casino, Svenska Spel, says it will help its workers during this time and talk to their unions to make the process easier.
The company is also planning to sell the building where the casino is located, on Kungsgatan 65 in Stockholm.
Concerns About Illegal Gambling
Some government groups, like Spelinspektionen (Sweden’s gambling regulator), are worried that closing physical casinos might push people toward illegal or unlicensed gambling options. They believe that without legal places to play, some players might look for risky alternatives.
To handle this, Spelinspektionen says they will need more money and staff to monitor and stop illegal gambling activities in the future.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
This move marks the end of physical casinos in Sweden and shows how much the gambling world is changing. More people are now choosing to play online. The government hopes to build stronger rules for online gambling to keep it safe, fair, and well-regulated.