Some people who haven’t really engaged in online gambling will look at the pastime as being something negative. This could be due to many factors, including plentiful stories about gambling addiction, big screen films portraying it as an activity for lowlifes, or any other number of factors.

However, there has been at least one country which has been working towards overhauling that image of online gambling, and that country is Sweden. Various top-notch software developers have their head offices in Sweden and/or were created from within the country. You needn’t look farther than Netent or Yggdrasil to verify this fact, for example. These brands are known around the world as being some of the best in the business.

Yet, it’s not only Swedish developers that have brought a positive image to the industry, but the country’s casinos, too. Look at LeoVegas or Casinoland, which incorporate masses of high-quality, innovative slots, table games and more to a wider audience.

It is also because of these brands and other companies like them, that online casinos aren’t swimming in customers that fit into the “middle-aged male” category. Research has shown that women who enjoy spending their time gambling are now accessing online gaming sites more than they ever have before.

How Has Sweden Helped with Gambling’s Progress?

You can look at any of the big-name brands from within Sweden, and the first thing you’ll notice is the quality of the games on offer. Swedish operators do tend to place a large focus on the visuals and entertainment side of their games. It’s not longer just a matter of spinning a slot to win or lose or having a hand of cards dealt for the same purpose. Instead, gamers today look to online casinos for a fun and enjoyable experience alongside.

And while gambling was quite the draw for those players who weren’t able to really take control of their finances and use them wisely, it has also become a great place for the direct opposites. Players who already know their limits and are just able to access online games for fun and recreational purposes. It is these players who, along with the innovative games from software companies, are helping to change the face of online gambling.

If you look at how long Netent has been in operation (the company first opened its doors in 1996), the brand has been working towards such a goal for some time. It’s one of the forerunners in the online gambling market worldwide, not just in Sweden. It has also been at the peak of innovation, introducing mobile gaming, live dealer options and, in more recent times, virtual reality games.

Plus, when you consider the inclusion of other brands, like the aforementioned Yggdrasil Gaming (which was born from former Netent employees banding together) which has received numerous accolades throughout its time in operation, the online gambling community can certainly look towards Sweden and give thanks.