Spelpaus and self-exclusion
Spelpaus is Sweden’s national register for self-exclusion from gambling for money. On spelpaus.se you can exclude yourself from all gambling that requires registration with an operator holding a Swedish licence – online, in shops, at racetracks and on Vegas machines. You choose 10 days, 1, 3 or 6 months, or indefinitely, and the exclusion cannot be ended early.
This guide explains how to register, what the exclusion does and does not cover, how it differs from excluding yourself at a single casino, and where you can get support if your gambling has become a problem.
How Spelpaus works
The register is run by Spelinspektionen (the Swedish Gambling Authority) and is based on Chapter 14, Section 12 of Spellagen (the Gambling Act). The exclusion applies to every gambling operator with a Swedish licence, and during the period you should not be able to gamble with any of them.
Spelpaus is meant for anyone who wants a break from gambling for money, short or long. You do not need to have a gambling problem to use the register, and you do not have to explain why you are excluding yourself. You decide how long the break should be.
Choose a period
| Period | How it ends |
|---|---|
| 10 days | Automatically when the period is over |
| 1 month | Automatically when the period is over |
| 3 months | Automatically when the period is over |
| 6 months | Automatically when the period is over |
| Indefinitely | You can end it after 12 months at the earliest by logging in |
No period can be shortened once it has started. If you register a new exclusion while an earlier one is still running, the new one cannot be shorter than the time remaining. So take a moment to think about which period suits you, but do not wait too long if you already feel you need a break.
How to register with BankID
- Go to spelpaus.se.
- Choose how long you want to be excluded.
- Confirm with an electronic ID: Mobile BankID, BankID, Freja eID+ or a foreign e-ID.
- The exclusion is registered, and from that moment every operator with a Swedish licence is covered.
When a fixed period is over, the exclusion ends by itself without you having to do anything. If you chose indefinitely, you log in at spelpaus.se when you want to end it, after 12 months at the earliest. Until then it applies in full.
If you do not have an electronic ID, you can use a paper form. There are also forms for legal guardians who want to exclude a person they represent.
What the exclusion covers – and what it does not
During the period you cannot gamble with any operator holding a Swedish licence. Operators are also not allowed to send you direct marketing, under Chapter 15, Section 2 of the Gambling Act. This means that targeted offers, for example by email or text message, must stop.
Two things, however, are not covered. The first is general advertising, for example on TV or social media, which you may therefore still see. The second is sites without a Swedish licence. They are not connected to Spelpaus, and they are not subject to the same requirements for deposit limits and checks. We go through the differences in our guide to Swedish and foreign licences.
Spelpaus and sister sites
Many casinos belong to groups with several brands. Because Spelpaus applies to every licence holder, the exclusion also covers every brand the licence holders run. It makes no difference whether a group has one brand or six, or whether the brands have their own companies or share a licence holder – Spelpaus applies to all of them.
Take FDJ United as an example. Unibet, Maria Casino, Otto Casino and Storspelare currently each have their own licence holder, but an exclusion via spelpaus.se locks you out of all four at once. The same goes for LeoVegas Group, Betsson AB, ComeOn Group and other owners with a Swedish licence. We explain how groups, licence holders and brands fit together in our guide on how sister sites work.
Self-exclusion at a single casino
In addition to Spelpaus, every licence holder must let you exclude yourself from that particular company, for a fixed period or with no end date. If you choose the latter, the exclusion can only be lifted once at least 12 months have passed. Online casinos must also offer an immediate 24-hour exclusion, which is useful if you want to stop a gambling session straight away.
The difference from Spelpaus is the reach. An exclusion with one operator applies to that operator, whereas Spelpaus applies to everyone with a Swedish licence. If you want to be sure that you cannot gamble on a sister site, Spelpaus is therefore the safer choice.
Other tools that help
- Deposit limit. Mandatory for online gambling with every operator holding a Swedish licence. A reduction takes effect immediately, an increase only after at least 72 hours.
- Login time limit. You must be given the choice of whether to limit your login time.
- Self-test. Every licence holder must offer a test that lets you assess your gambling.
You will find warning signs and more tips on limits on our page about responsible gambling.
When might Spelpaus be the right choice?
Nothing has to have happened before you exclude yourself. It can be a good choice when you notice that gambling is taking more time or money than you intended, when you are gambling to win back losses, or when it starts to affect your sleep, finances or relationships. You can also use it to take a break ahead of a period when you know it will be harder to stick to your limits.
A shorter period can be a way of finding out how it feels not to gamble. If you notice that it is difficult, a longer exclusion combined with talking to Stödlinjen (the national gambling helpline) can give you more breathing space.
Support for young people is also on the government’s agenda. An inquiry appointed in September 2026 will, among other things, review the support around spelpaus.se and the protection of children and young adults. It is due to report by February 2028 at the latest.
Support and help
If you would like someone to talk to about your gambling, Stödlinjen is there. Call 020-819 100 or use the chat on stodlinjen.se. Opening hours on weekdays: Mon 9–19, Tue–Wed 9–17, Thu 11–19, Fri 9–15. You can speak Swedish, English or Arabic, and interpreters are available for over 100 languages. Stödlinjen is run by Region Stockholm with support from the Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndigheten).
If you want to read more about how the register and the rules work, the Swedish Gambling Authority has collected information on its website.
Common mistakes
- Thinking Spelpaus applies to one site at a time. The exclusion applies to every operator with a Swedish licence.
- Counting on being able to change your mind. The period cannot be ended early.
- Thinking all advertising will disappear. Direct marketing must stop, but general advertising does not.
- Turning to sites without a Swedish licence. Spelpaus does not apply there, and the protection is weaker.
Frequently asked questions
Which periods can I choose on Spelpaus?
There are five periods: 10 days, one, three and six months, and indefinitely. The fixed periods end automatically. If you choose indefinitely, you can end the exclusion after 12 months at the earliest.
Can I cancel a Spelpaus exclusion?
No. Once the exclusion has started, it cannot be cancelled or ended early. If you register a new exclusion, it cannot be shorter than the time remaining on the one you already have.
Does Spelpaus apply to every casino?
Spelpaus applies to all gambling operators with a Swedish licence, and therefore to all their brands and sister sites. The exclusion covers gambling online, in shops, at racetracks and on Vegas machines. Sites without a Swedish licence are not covered.
Do I need BankID to use Spelpaus?
You confirm the exclusion with an electronic ID, such as Mobile BankID, BankID, Freja eID+ or a foreign e-ID. If you have no electronic ID, there is a paper form, and there are also forms for legal guardians.
Will I stop receiving advertising once I am on Spelpaus?
Operators with a Swedish licence may not send you direct marketing while you are excluded. General advertising, for example on TV or social media, is not affected by the exclusion.