Eight-year veteran of Sweden’s gambling watchdog moves to new role

• Camilla Rosenberg will leave her position as Director-General of Spelinspektionen on 31 October after eight years
• Rosenberg led the authority through Sweden’s landmark gambling reform in 2019, which introduced a licensed online market
• The Swedish government will now begin the process of appointing her successor to lead the gambling regulator

Camilla Rosenberg, Director-General of Sweden’s gambling authority Spelinspektionen, will step down from her position on 31 October to take up a new government role leading the Real Estate Agents’ Inspectorate.

Rosenberg has served as head of the Swedish gambling regulator for eight years, having been appointed in 2017. She will become acting director and head of the Real Estate Agents’ Inspectorate effective 1 November 2025. The government appointment marks a transition from gambling regulation to property sector oversight for the experienced regulator.

Her departure comes at a challenging time for Swedish gambling regulation. The latest data published by Spelinspektionen shows Sweden’s channelisation rate – the percentage of gambling conducted through licensed operators – has dropped to 85% in 2024, down from 86% in 2023. This falls short of the government’s stated target of 90%.

Leadership through major reforms

Rosenberg’s tenure saw Sweden implement its most significant gambling reforms in decades. She guided the authority through the country’s transition to a licensed online gambling framework, which came into effect on 1 January 2019. Before the licensing system was introduced, less than half of gambling activity took place with a licensed operator.

The reforms aimed to bring gambling under state control and improve consumer protection. However, challenges have persisted, particularly in the online casino sector, where channelisation rates remain problematic. The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS) estimates that online casino channelisation sits between 72% and 82%, whilst sports betting achieves rates of 92% to 96%.

Market performance and regulatory challenges

Despite regulatory challenges, Sweden’s gambling market showed growth during Rosenberg’s final period in office. World Casino Directory reported that gross gaming revenue climbed 1.9% year-on-year to SEK7.02bn (€638m) in the second quarter of 2025. Online gambling remained the largest contributor, generating SEK4.63bn, up 1.4% from the same quarter last year.

However, industry critics have raised concerns about the effectiveness of regulation. A 2024 National Audit Office report criticised limited inspections and weak follow-ups that contributed to gaps between licensed and unlicensed play.

Government response and succession planning

Claes Norgren, chairman of Spelinspektionen’s board, praised Rosenberg’s service during her departure announcement.

“I would like to thank Camilla Rosenberg for her meritorious work at Spelinspektionen during a time of profound changes in the gambling market. I congratulate her on her new position. Operations will continue as planned and at an unabated pace while waiting for a new director general to be appointed.”

The timing of Rosenberg’s departure coincides with ongoing government efforts to strengthen gambling regulation. A government-appointed investigator, Marcus Isgren, will present proposals later this month to expand the scope of Sweden’s Gambling Act, with reforms expected to criminalise nearly all forms of unlicensed gambling in Sweden.

Industry impact and future challenges

Rosenberg’s successor will inherit significant challenges, including addressing the channelisation shortfall and implementing new regulatory measures. The authority reported that nearly 128,000 people were enrolled in the Spelpaus self-exclusion program by the end of Q2 2025, marking a 2.2% increase compared with the previous quarter.