Regulation

Sweden’s new gambling chief sets out four priorities

By Johan Ekström · Published 26 October 2026

Peter Knutsson, the new Director General of Spelinspektionen, has given his first major account of how he intends to lead oversight of the Swedish gambling market. In an interview, he sets out four concrete priorities and stresses that trust is the foundation of a well-functioning market.

What has changed

Knutsson took office as Director General on 17 August. He succeeded Camilla Rosenberg, who concluded her tenure as the first Director General of Sweden’s re-regulated gambling market. Johan Röhr had led the authority on an acting basis before that. Knutsson previously served as Sweden’s Advertising Ombudsman and has earlier worked on gambling policy at the Ministry of Finance.

Knutsson has emphasised his belief that trust is the foundation of a well-regulated market. He notes that licensed operators are entrusted with selling a product that provides entertainment for many consumers but can cause serious harm to players and their families.

After his first weeks in the role, Knutsson has outlined four immediate priorities for the authority’s work. These are effective supervision, clearer regulations, stronger action against illegal gambling, and preventative measures against excessive and harmful play. Player protection will remain central to oversight, with both the regulator and licensed operators expected to embed player safety and duty of care throughout their activities.

Knutsson’s first month in office concluded with the Riksdag approving an investigation into gambling among children and young adults, which could lead to new regulations and enforcement measures. The government has cited his consumer-protection background as the reason behind his appointment. Minister for Financial Markets Niklas Wykman said the Swedish gambling market should be marked by high security and strong consumer protection, and that he was pleased Knutsson accepted the role given his deep knowledge of consumer matters.

What it means for you

If you play with a Swedish-licensed operator, the change in leadership mainly means continuity, but with a clearer shift toward tighter control. Expect more inspections and stricter follow-up of operators, alongside an intensified crackdown on unlicensed gambling. If you’re ever unsure whether a site holds a Swedish licence, it’s always worth checking before you open an account.

The planned investigation into gambling among children and young adults could eventually affect marketing rules and limits on deposits or playing time. Remember that a bonus may only be offered at your first gaming occasion with a licence holder, and that Spelpaus always lets you exclude yourself from all licensed gambling in Sweden. If you need to talk to someone about your gambling, support is available via Stödlinjen.se.

The bigger picture

The leadership change comes at a time when Spelinspektionen has previously faced criticism over the effectiveness of its supervision, while the market itself keeps growing. Swedish gambling revenue totalled €2.6 billion in 2025, a rise of 1.3% compared with 2024. The government’s choice of a chief with a background in consumer protection and advertising oversight, rather than from the industry itself, signals that the player perspective will carry significant weight going forward. How this affects licence holders such as Betsson and other major groups remains to be seen once the four priorities translate into concrete decisions.