Police Raid Stockholm Poker Club ‘Krukan’, Players Allege Excessive Force

Krukan, a basement club on Södermalm with a long history in Stockholm’s live-poker scene, was packed when officers entered. Around 80 people were inside. Police framed the operation as part of an ongoing investigation into serious illegal gambling and associated financial crime, noting that both ordinary players and individuals with criminal connections were believed to be present.

Multiple guests say the tactical unit entered with weapons drawn, triggering panic as people scrambled for cover. Attendees describe players, including elderly guests, being knocked to the floor, forced to kneel with hands on their heads for hours, then escorted out, identified, searched, and told they would be contacted as witnesses. Several say they were never informed they were suspected of a crime.

Authorities have confirmed detentions and three arrests tied to suspected serious illegal gambling and aggravated money-laundering offenses. Investigators indicate the case involves digital evidence, seized materials, and potential links to wider criminal networks. The probe continues.

Prosecutors will assess evidence from the scene, digital forensics, and statements. For the community, the fallout is immediate: graphic images and first-person accounts have amplified concerns about policing tactics in hobby environments. The broader debate, about poker, policing, and player rights, is now firmly in the public arena.