In a significant development for the gambling landscape in Sweden, authorities have proposed the closure of the last remaining land-based casino, Cosmopol, located in Stockholm. This decision comes as Cosmopol has struggled to maintain profitability, with dwindling visitor numbers and increased competition from online gambling platforms cited as primary reasons for its financial challenges.
The Swedish government, in making this decision, has emphasized that the closure of Cosmopol is unlikely to have a significant impact on the prevalence of illegal gambling activities. With the closure of Cosmopol in Stockholm, the once-thriving network of four gambling establishments under the Cosmopol brand will cease to exist entirely, marking the end of an era in Swedish gambling history.
Svenska Spel, the state-owned gambling operator, has highlighted a decline in visitor numbers across Cosmopol casinos in recent years, with the closures of establishments in Sundsvall, Gothenburg, and Malmö further underscoring the challenges faced by the land-based gambling sector. This trend has been exacerbated by the increasing popularity of online gambling platforms, which offer convenience and accessibility to a broader audience of players.
While acknowledging the government's assessment and the economic realities facing Cosmopol, Casino Cosmopol CEO Ola Enqvist expressed a sense of nostalgia and finality, noting that the closure of the casino would mark the end of an era for Cosmopol and the broader gambling industry in Sweden.
