According to a recent announcement from the Riksdag, Sweden's parliament, the last land-based casino in the country is due to be closed down.

Citing low profitability and declining visitor numbers, the lawmakers moved to shutter Casino Cosmopol – the last, state-owned land-based casino in Sweden.

Although no exact timeline has been given for the casino's closing, this seems like the end of an era for casino fans in Sweden, further highlighting the country's fast move towards online gaming.

Sevnska Spel Backs Casino Closing

Currently, the state-owned lottery Svenska Spel holds a monopoly on land-based casinos in Sweden. Specifically, it runs a chain of casinos under the Casino Cosmopol brand under the instructions of the state.

However, the “chain” has long since become a single location in downtown Stockholm. It was the last refuge of the classic casino-goer in Sweden, but it seems even its visitation has ground to a halt in recent years.

Even though the online gambling industry is flourishing in Sweden, it seems that the closing down of brick-and-mortar gaming did not come as a surprise. The leadership of the last standing Casino Cosmopol even expressed support for the decision, citing disappointing performance.

What This Means for Swedish Casino Players

Players will mostly be affected the way you expect – no more gaming in brick-and-mortar venues. It seems like a shame, but it's also a direct result of the market's demands. It seems Swedes massively prefer Swedish online casinos to their traditional counterparts.

However, not everyone is in agreement over the upcoming closures. Last August, the country's regulator Spelinspektionen warned that the closures could lead to a rise in illegal gambling operations as players flock to find alternatives to the failing Casino Cosmopol. However, the regulatory authority is yet to respond to this latest announcement.

According to sources close to Svenska Spel, the liquidation process for the casino's last location is already underway. However, no exact timeline has been given for the fate of Casino Cosmopol and its 200+ employees, and the venue is expected to stay open “until further notice.”