Coolbet was named the overall winner of Bookmakertesten 2026 after achieving the highest overall score in our independent comparison of bookmakers available to Nordic players.
Bookmakertesten.com assessed ten leading bookmakers across eleven categories, with OddsFactory serving as the official sportsbook partner responsible for evaluating the betting product, including odds, user experience, bonuses, sports coverage and the overall betting experience. The casino assessment, including game selection and return-to-player (RTP), was carried out in partnership with Jackpot.win, whose extensive RTP testing formed an important part of the methodology.
In addition to being crowned the overall winner, Coolbet also received the Best Odds 2026 and Best Casino 2026awards, underlining the operator’s consistently high performance across both sportsbook and casino.
Following the announcement, we spoke to Mikael Mellqvist, PR Manager at Coolbet, about the award, the importance of Nordic players, why RTP and licensing matter, and what continues to separate Coolbet from the competition.
Q: Congratulations on winning Bookmakertesten 2026. What was your first reaction when you heard the news?
Mikael Mellqvist: Thank you very much. Naturally, we were delighted. Awards are always appreciated, but they’re particularly meaningful when they’re based on a detailed and independent assessment rather than popularity alone. Knowing that the evaluation covered everything from sportsbook quality and user experience to casino RTP, licensing and payment solutions makes this recognition especially rewarding.
Q: Coolbet also received the awards for Best Odds and Best Casino. How important are those categories to you?
Mikael Mellqvist: They’re hugely important because they reflect the areas we work hardest to improve every single day. Competitive odds are the foundation of any serious sportsbook, while a great casino experience is about much more than simply offering thousands of games. Players deserve strong RTP, trusted game providers and a platform that’s enjoyable and reliable to use.
AdvertisementQ: OddsFactory placed considerable emphasis on Nordic relevance when assessing the sportsbooks. Why has the Nordic market always been so important to Coolbet?
Mikael Mellqvist: The Nordic countries have always been central to our business. Players here know what they’re looking for. They compare odds, they expect good service and they’re quick to recognise quality. Those expectations have helped shape the way we’ve developed Coolbet over the years, and we continue to invest heavily in delivering a product that’s tailored to Nordic customers.
Q: Jackpot.win’s RTP analysis formed part of the casino assessment. RTP isn’t always something casual players think about. Why should it matter?
Mikael Mellqvist: RTP is one of the best ways of measuring long-term value. It doesn’t tell you what will happen during a single session, but over time it gives players a good indication of how much a game is designed to return. We believe transparency is important, and we’re pleased to see RTP recognised as part of the overall assessment.
Q: Another area that carried significant weight was licensing and jurisdiction. Why is regulation so important from your perspective?
Mikael Mellqvist: A strong regulatory framework creates confidence for everyone involved. It helps ensure responsible gambling, secure payment processes, transparency and proper consumer protection. Players should always know who they’re playing with and have confidence that the operator is held to high standards.
Q: The online betting industry has never been more competitive. What do you believe continues to set Coolbet apart?
Mikael Mellqvist: We don’t believe success comes from excelling in just one area. Our ambition has always been to deliver a complete product where competitive odds, a strong casino, excellent customer service and an intuitive user experience all work together. We think that’s what creates long-term loyalty and trust among our customers.
Q: Finally, what message would you like to send to your Nordic customers following this recognition?
Mikael Mellqvist: We’d simply like to thank everyone who continues to choose Coolbet. Winning Bookmakertesten 2026 is something we’re incredibly proud of, but we also see it as motivation to keep improving. Player expectations continue to evolve, and it’s our job to keep raising the standard.
Coolbet’s success in Bookmakertesten 2026 reflects consistent strength across both sportsbook and casino. With the highest overall score in our independent assessment, together with the Best Odds 2026 and Best Casino 2026 awards, the operator set the benchmark against which every other bookmaker in this year’s comparison was measured.