A new report reveals that gambling addiction is affecting 350,000 Swedes, including a significant number of children and young people, highlighting the inadequacies in government efforts to address these issues.
A recent investigation has revealed the alarming rise in gambling problems in Sweden, with approximately 350,000 individuals suffering from gambling addiction, many of whom are children and young people. The study criticized government efforts, indicating a lack of recommendations and effective treatment strategies for this vulnerable group. Project leader Nedim Colo emphasized the urgent need for focused measures to protect minors from gambling addiction.
In 2025, a noteworthy 72% of Swedes reported engaging in gambling activities, as shown by a survey from the Swedish Gaming Inspectorate. State-run Svenska Spel reported net revenues of 7.7 billion kronor, contributing 1.8 billion to the state treasury. Despite these lucrative figures, the financial implications become dire when considering the estimated societal cost of gambling addiction, which is around 11.5 billion kronor each year, according to the Public Health Agency of Sweden.
Among children and adolescents, gambling issues have been reported to be escalating. According to a school survey by CAN, 14% of boys in their second year of high school and 10% of boys in ninth grade exhibited risky gambling behavior last year. This concerning trend calls for immediate attention and intervention from policymakers to address the growing gambling issues among the youth, as the existing frameworks fall short in providing adequate support and prevention strategies.
