The Swedish government has announced a strategic expansion within its Ministry of Finance, appointing Erik Eldhagen as the new State Secretary with specific oversight of gambling regulation.
In this pivotal role, Erik Eldhagen will work directly alongside Niklas Wykman, the Minister for Financial Markets, to steer the country’s evolving gambling policies. His appointment comes at a critical time as Sweden continues to tighten its regulatory framework to ensure a safer and more transparent market.
The Ministry of Finance has been particularly active throughout 2025, implementing a series of robust measures aimed at curbing problem gambling and eliminating unlicensed operators. Key initiatives undertaken this year include the controversial decision to close down state-run land-based casinos, a move designed to reduce the state’s direct involvement in gambling operations.
Furthermore, the ministry has advanced legislation to ban gambling on credit, a significant step in consumer protection. Perhaps most importantly, the scope of the Gambling Act has been altered to grant the national regulator, Spelinspektionen, enhanced powers to enforce penalties against illegal operators targeting Swedish players.
Eldhagen brings a wealth of financial and diplomatic experience to the role. He previously served as Deputy Director General at the Ministry of Finance, giving him a deep understanding of the department’s inner workings. Following that tenure, he expanded his international expertise as a Senior Economic and Commercial Advisor at the Embassy of Sweden in Cairo.
Most recently, he held the prestigious position of Head of the International Secretariat at the Riksbank, Sweden’s central bank. This diverse background in economic policy and international relations is expected to be instrumental as he navigates the complex regulatory landscape of the European iGaming sector.
His mandate will likely focus on consolidating the gains made in 2025 while addressing ongoing challenges such as channelization rates, ensuring that players remain within the licensed system, and further strengthening anti-money laundering (AML) protocols.
The appointment signals the government’s continued commitment to treating gambling regulation as a priority within its broader financial oversight strategy.
