Sweden’s gambling regulator has introduced updated requirements aimed at strengthening how licensed operators interact with the country’s national self-exclusion system, Spelpaus. The changes focus on technical processes and compliance obligations, setting clearer standards for how companies must verify whether individuals have opted out of gambling services.
Authorities approved the revised framework on 23 April and published it on 29 April. The rules will come into force on 1 August 2026, giving operators a defined timeline to implement the required adjustments.
Revised System Access And Verification Process
Under the updated rules, each licence holder will receive unique identification credentials consisting of an Actor ID and an API Key. Operators must use these details whenever they connect to the Spelpaus register to perform checks on player status.
The regulations also introduce stricter requirements around when these checks must occur. Companies must confirm a user’s self-exclusion status during account registration and again each time a player attempts to log in. In addition, operators must carry out verification before sending any direct marketing communications.
Different technical channels apply depending on the purpose of the check. Marketing-related queries must go through a dedicated marketing API, while checks tied to registration and login processes must use a separate login API. A verification is only considered valid once the system provides a clear confirmation of whether the individual is listed as self-excluded.
Spelpaus forms a central part of Sweden’s gambling framework introduced in 2019. The system requires all licensed operators to block access to customers who have chosen to exclude themselves. Players can select fixed exclusion periods, including one, three, or six months, as well as longer options of at least 12 months.
Operator Responsibility Remains Unchanged
The regulator has clarified that accountability for compliance remains with licence holders, even when they rely on external providers to manage technical integrations. Operators must ensure that their assigned Actor ID and API Key are consistently used, regardless of whether third-party services handle the connection.
The updated rules outline the overall structure for system interaction but do not yet include detailed technical specifications such as API response formats or performance standards. These elements are expected to play a role in how operators plan their system integration ahead of the August deadline.
Spelpaus has undergone previous adjustments, including updates in 2023 that improved access to support information and allowed users to extend their exclusion periods. The system continues to serve as a mandatory safeguard within Sweden’s regulated gambling market.
Background Scrutiny And Regulator Response
The self-exclusion register drew public attention in the past year following claims in a documentary series that suggested a possible data breach. Regulators responded by rejecting the allegations and stating that the system protects user information through encryption.
“There is no information about whether the person who has excluded themselves is addicted to gambling or not,” a spokesperson said at the time.
The latest regulatory update reflects ongoing efforts to reinforce safeguards while maintaining clear operational requirements for licensed gambling providers.
Source:
“Spelinspektionen tightens regulations for national self-exclusion checks”, igamingbusiness.com, April 30, 2026
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