A recent report commissioned by the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS), authored by economist Ola Nevander, revealed a notable decline in problem gambling rates in Sweden since the late 2000s.
This reduction occurred even as the online gambling market experienced rapid growth, increased marketing expenditure and greater technological accessibility.
The survey used the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) screening tool to measure the problem gambling numbers.
Problem gambling on the decline
The prevalence of problem gambling among Swedish adults has declined significantly. The proportion of Swedish adults classified as problem gamblers (PGSI score 3 or higher) decreased from 2.2% in 2008-09 to 1.3% in 2021.
This equates to a reduction in problem gamblers of approximately 57,000 individuals, representing a 35% reduction during the timeframe. The broader category of at-risk gamblers (PGSI 1+) also declined by an estimated 200,000 during the monitoring period.
Despite the reduction, severe problem gambling (PGSI 8+ or equivalent) has remained relatively stable over the decades, fluctuating between 0.3% and 0.6% of the population.
Among adults who gambled online in the past year, the prevalence of problem gambling dropped sharply from 12% in 2008-09 to around 4% during the four years between 2018 and 2021.
Although problem gambling is declining, Swedes are still actively gambling. A recent survey by Casinofeber revealed that nearly one in six Swedes (18%) played online casino games in 2025, while over one in five (24%) placed online bets within the same year.
These trends followed a dynamic two decades for the Swedish gambling market. Industry marketing expenditures increased roughly ninefold in real terms from 2000 to 2024, peaking in 2018 before declining following Sweden’s 2019 licensing reform. The online casino game offerings expanded more than tenfold between the mid-2000s and 2019. Additionally, internet and smartphone penetration reached near-universal levels by 2020.
Channelisation and self-exclusion
A major institutional factor highlighted is channelisation into licensed offerings, with higher channelisation facilitating consistent application of consumer protections, including duty-of-care obligations, self-exclusion tools and data-driven monitoring.
BOS cited an overall channelisation rate of approximately 85%, with slightly lower rates in online casino gambling segments. Norway and Denmark exhibit higher channelisation rates (91.5% and 91% respectively) under their regulatory frameworks, while Finland shows substantially lower rates (48%) ahead of planned licensing reforms.
Sweden’s national self-exclusion system, Spelpaus, had about 136,000 registered users as of March 2026, equivalent to 1.6% of the adult population. However, survey and helpline data indicate that around half of self-excluders continue to gamble, mainly through unlicensed operators.
Is CBT the way forward?
The report reviews both Swedish and international research regarding prevention and treatment measures.
Machine-learning algorithms analysing transaction data showed promise in predicting problem gambling, although comprehensive long-term evaluations are pending. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) displayed strong evidence for reducing gambling harm. “Meta-analyses show that CBT can reduce the extent of gambling, gambling frequency and symptoms of addiction compared with control groups,” said the survey.
Jakob Jonsson, a licensed psychologist with extensive clinical experience in the treatment of gambling disorders called for centralised systems to reduce the perceived anonymity of online gambling. “Many people feel completely anonymous, as if no one can see what they are doing,” he said.
Sweden re-regulated its online gambling market in 2019, instituting a licensing framework with specific operator obligations.
The country has recently considered debates around its regulation. Hasse Lord Skarplöth, outgoing CEO of Sweden’s ATG, recently urged Sweden to consider a differentiated tax model, sparing racing betting from tax increases, similar to reforms introduced in the United Kingdom.
David Sundén, an expert in taxation and regulatory policy, argued that there is still room for improvement despite the Swedish regulatory framework being broadly functional. He stated that lessons should be taken from neighbouring countries, saying: “The main lesson for Sweden is rather what to avoid. There is no country that stands out as clearly superior.”
Kathryn Evans
Kathryn covers bitesize breaking news with a primary focus on EMEA and US legislation. A proud North Walian, fluent Welsh speaker and lifelong Wrexham FC fan – long before Hollywood came calling.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/sustainable-gambling/problem-gambling/sweden-problem-gambling-rate-falls-still-scope-for-improvement/
