From December 1, 2025, Sweden will introduce significantly stricter rules for slot machines in the hospitality sector. The Swedish Gambling Authority, Spelinspektionen, aims to prevent bars and restaurants from deriving their main revenue from gambling. The new regulations are intended to create greater transparency and increase player protection – a move that has attracted attention across Europe.
In the future, operators will only be allowed to offer slot machines if they generate an annual turnover of at least one million Swedish kronor (approximately 100.000 euros) from food and beverage sales. For every additional 250.000 kronor in restaurant and bar revenue, one additional slot machine will be permitted. This is intended to ensure that gambling remains clearly subordinate to the hospitality industry.
This regulation primarily affects businesses that have relied heavily on revenue from slot machines. Many restaurant owners will have to rethink their pricing or adjust their licenses.
In addition, the authorities stipulate that slot machines must be clearly visible in the dining area and always under staff supervision. They may not be installed next to ATMs and must be completely switched off outside of opening hours. Sweden aims to reduce the temptation for spontaneous gambling and increase security in bars and restaurants with these regulations.
Gambling in the hospitality industry: How strict are the rules in Germany?
In Germany, there are already extensive restrictions on slot machines in restaurants and pubs. German gaming regulations and the respective state laws stipulate that a maximum of two slot machines are permitted per establishment. They must be regularly inspected and equipped with security mechanisms such as... Usage limits, mandatory breaks and playing time restrictions be equipped.
Germany is thus pursuing a more player-centric approach: Instead of limiting the economic impact of gambling, the focus is on regulating gambling behavior itself. The aim is to identify and prevent addictive behavior at an early stage.
Another difference compared to Sweden lies in the allocation of responsibilities. In Germany, the federal states regulate the establishment and oversight of security services – leading to differences between, for example, Bavaria and Berlin. Sweden, on the other hand, relies on a uniform national system that is centrally monitored by the security service inspectorates.
While Germany often relies on technical protection mechanisms, Sweden emphasizes the economic separation between gastronomy and gambling – two different paths with the same goal.
Austria between liberalization and restriction
The situation in Austria is complex. Some federal states, such as Vienna, have completely banned the operation of slot machines outside of casinos, while other regions, such as Lower Austria and Styria, continue to permit so-called "small-scale gambling." Strict regulations apply to stake amounts, loss limits, and technical security features.
Austria does not yet link the number of slot machines to the revenue of the hospitality industry, as Sweden does. Nevertheless, similar trends are emerging: authorities are tightening regulations, conducting more frequent inspections, and increasingly seeking to push gambling out of traditional pubs and restaurants.
Many operators are facing economic pressure as a result. High licensing fees, technical inspection requirements, and potential penalties for violations have led numerous establishments to voluntarily remove their slot machines. Should Austria adopt the Swedish approach, restaurants and bars could be forced to link their gambling offerings more closely to revenue in the future.
Sweden as a model for a new gambling policy in Europe
With his new Rules for slot machines In the hospitality sector, Sweden is placing a clear emphasis on responsibility and economic transparency. Bars and restaurants will only be allowed to offer gambling as a secondary service, not as their primary source of income.
Germany and Austria are pursuing different strategies, but the goal remains the same: fewer devices, more control, and stronger protection for players. The Swedish model could serve as a blueprint for a Europe-wide realignment.
Whether this approach will prevail in the long term depends on how effectively the new rules are implemented and monitored. One thing is already clear, however: the trend in Europe is definitely towards stricter regulations for slot machines in the hospitality sector, and Sweden has taken the next big step in this direction.
