Warning: Undefined array key "post_type_share_twitter_account" in /var/www/vhosts/casinonewsblogger.com/public_html/wp-content/themes/cryptocurrency/vslmd/share/share.php on line 24
A major police operation shut down the long-running Krukan poker club in Stockholm late Friday night, with armed officers raiding the venue during what participants say was a €100 buy-in poker tournament.
According to Dagens Nyheter nearly 100 players were inside when police in tactical gear entered the Södermalm premises. Swedish media also reported the raid was supported by drones, a helicopter and Europol. The Swedish Gambling Authority and the Swedish Enforcement Authority were also involved in the operation.
The raid formed part of a wider crackdown on suspected illegal gambling and organised economic crime. Three men, a 30-year-old and two men in their 40s, were arrested at separate addresses after house searches. All three are suspected of serious illegal gambling and serious money laundering. Police say they have seized significant assets, though details remain undisclosed.
Footage published on social media shows armed officers entering the Krukan premises and ordering players to the floor. Police described the scene as calm and controlled. However, the Swedish Poker Association (SvePof) says it has received numerous testimonies suggesting the entry was far more forceful than official accounts have indicated.
SvePof is a non-profit organisation representing Swedish poker players and supporting legal, regulated poker environments. In a public statement, the organization said it felt obliged to add a player perspective that has so far been missing from mainstream coverage.
Player Testimonies Paint a Different Picture
SvePof claims to have been contacted by many players who were present during the raid. According to their accounts:
- Officers initially entered forcefully, pushing some visitors to the ground, including elderly players.
- Several players reported having automatic weapons pointed directly at them.
- Some believed a shooting was taking place.
- Others said they were forced to sit for hours with their hands on their heads and felt verbally threatened.
- One well-known figure in the Swedish poker community reportedly sent a photo of his bloodied face to SvePof.
- Most attendees were searched, questioned, identified and released after being held on-site for two to three hours.
SvePof emphasises that it cannot verify every individual claim at this stage, but says the consistency of the testimonies raises important questions about proportionality and the treatment of individuals not suspected of any crime.
Is Poker Legal in Sweden?
Playing poker in Sweden is legal. Swedish players can freely access licensed online poker platforms regulated by the Swedish Gambling Authority.
Hosting poker games or any other game of chance is also legal, provided the organiser holds a valid licence. Without such approval, hosting poker games is considered illegal gambling under Swedish law.
This is why unlicensed clubs like the one raided at Krukan fall outside the law, even if poker itself remains legal for individual players.
No More Land-Based Casinos in Sweden
The legal landscape around poker in Sweden has tightened even further in 2025. In April, the Riksdag, Swedish Parliarment, voted to abolish all land-based casino gaming in the country.
Before the shutdowns, Sweden had just four land-based casinos, all state-owned. Under the new regime, no private operator will be allowed to apply for a land-based casino licence, effectively ending brick-and-mortar casino gambling in the country.
Online poker and regulated online gaming remain legal and licensed.
Image & Video Credit: Mauritz Altikardes
Senior Editor & Live Events Executive
