In 2025, 72 percent of all Swedes gambled for money at some point, according to a new survey from the Swedish Gambling Authority.
State-owned Svenska Spel had net revenues of SEK 7.7 billion in 2025 - a total of SEK 1.8 billion was distributed to the treasury.
Children and young people are affected
For many, gambling can be problematic. 350,000 Swedes suffer from gambling addiction to some degree, which is estimated to cost society around SEK 11.5 billion each year, according to figures from the Swedish Public Health Agency.
Gambling problems are growing among children and young people. According to CAN's school survey, 14 percent of all boys in grade 2 of high school and 10 percent of boys in grade 9 engaged in risky gambling last year.
The Swedish National Audit Office has reviewed the state's work against problem gambling - and the overall conclusion is that the work is not effective.
The existing knowledge support is not adapted to the needs of municipalities or healthcare, especially for supporting children and young people, says Nedim Colo, project manager for the review.
It is the municipalities and healthcare that are responsible for preventing and treating gambling problems. Authorities, such as the Public Health Agency and the National Board of Health and Welfare, must develop knowledge support to support the work.
And that's where it falls short, according to Colo.
There is a lack of practical guidance on how municipalities and healthcare should detect and prevent children from starting to gamble for money, he says.
“Redo and do it right”
Lack of research in the area is considered an important explanation for the lack of support.
There are proven methods that can be used, but we see that the Public Health Agency highlights these methods and good examples from municipalities to a limited extent. For example, methods such as how to prioritize among different groups and how to talk to boys.
Gambling problems are not addressed in the school's work against alcohol, drugs, doping and tobacco, the work called ANDT.
If the Swedish National Agency for Education included gambling problems in its support for schools, it would help reduce gambling among children and young people, says Colo.
Omid Rezvani is the founder and chairman of the Gambling Addiction Group, a non-profit organization that supports people with gambling addiction.
It's time to change and do the right thing. When it comes to preventive work, the state has done nothing. The gambling law must be complied with, he says.
The helpline (020-819100) offers anonymous advice by phone, but also via chat and email.
Spelpaus.se helps you disconnect from all licensed gambling online, in gambling shops, at racetracks and casinos.
Non-profit organizations such as the Gambling Addiction Group and Gamblers Anonymous (GA) offer peer support, physical and digital meetings in several locations to help people become free of gambling. The Gambling Addiction Group can be reached at 072–3667676 (no text messages) and Gamblers Anonymous (GA) at [email protected] and via Zoom.
The health center can help you with a referral to a specialized addiction clinic.
Your local social services are responsible for offering support and treatment.
The Swedish Association of Gambling Addiction offers talks, support groups and self-help meetings, both physically and digitally.
The Swedish National Audit Office recommends that responsible authorities develop better guidance and support for municipalities and healthcare, and to take advantage of the knowledge that exists locally and regionally.
The National Audit Office believes that the Public Health Agency should, among other things, develop practical guidance to help municipalities detect and prevent gambling problems, especially among children and young people. Furthermore, the National Audit Office believes that the National Board of Health and Welfare needs, among other things, to develop knowledge support for gambling problems.
