Sweden: Closure of the final Casino Cosmopol location by Svenska Spel announced
Sweden Bids Adieu to Land-Based Casinos
{casinos, gambling, Svenska Spel, Sweden} - Robert Fletcher, iGaming Business
Sweden's beloved Casino Cosmopol in Stockholm went dark on April 24, marking the end of an era for land-based casinos in the country. This closure comes after the Swedish parliament, the Riksdag, voted to bid farewell to land-based gaming in April.
Svenska Spel, the state-owned operator, confirmed the shuttering of the Casino Cosmopol, their final land-based venue. The announcement followed a change in ownership directive received the previous day.
The fate of Casino Cosmopol had been hanging in the balance since earlier this month when the Swedish government voted to abolish land-based casinos. This decision aligns with Svenska Spel's stance, a company holding a monopoly on land-based casinos in Sweden.
An earlier proposal to discontinue Casino Cosmopol was tabled a year ago.
Sweden's decision to pull the plug on land-based casinos is primarily due to dwindling profitability and decreasing visitor numbers. The rising popularity of online gambling has played a significant role in the decline of land-based casinos[1][3][5].
The closure of Casino Cosmopol will impact around 240 employees. Svenska Spel is extending support to them during this transitional period[3].
Some are concerned that the elimination of legal casinos might drive more players to illicit gambling operations[3][5]. However, the Riksdag's decision became law, propelling Sweden towards digital gambling, with no new land-based casino licenses to be issued from January 1, 2026[2][4].
- The closure of Casino Cosmopol, the final land-based venue operated by Svenska Spel, was confirmed by the company, marking the end of land-based casinos in Sweden, following a change in ownership directive received the previous day and the Swedish parliament's vote to bid farewell to land-based gaming.
- The closure of Casino Cosmopol, a move primarily due to dwindling profitability and decreasing visitor numbers in land-based casinos, will impact around 240 employees, with Svenska Spel extending support to them during this transitional period.
- With the closure of Casino Cosmopol and no new land-based casino licenses to be issued from January 1, 2026, Sweden is propelled towards digital gambling, raising concerns that the elimination of legal casinos might drive more players to illicit gambling operations.
