A new inquiry seeks to identify measures to reduce the harmful effects of gambling among children and young adults in Sweden
Sweden’s Ministry of Health is launching a new inquiry to strengthen protection against gambling among young people.
The government has appointed Zandra Milton as special investigator to compile knowledge about gambling among children and young adults, submitting proposals to strengthen protection, especially for boys and young men.
Milton is currently the chief legal officer for leading Stockholm-based medical research institute Karolinska Institutet.
“Gambling problems are a serious and rapidly growing social problem, especially among young men, who are at risk of very serious harm,” said Minister of Health Elisabet Lann. “In just a few years, risky gambling among young men has doubled and one in five is affected. Therefore, we need to strengthen protection and prevent gambling from leading to ill health, debt or being drawn into crime.”
The investigator will survey marketing from both unlicensed and licensed gambling operators, in order to propose further measures aimed at reducing exposure for children and young adults, if necessary.
The assignment also includes surveying the gambling habits of children and young adults in the licensed and unlicensed gambling market.
“Gambling addiction ruins many lives and has a severe impact on society,” said Minister of Financial Markets Niklas Wykman. “A safe and healthy gambling market therefore requires that both the state and gambling companies take responsibility for strengthening protection for people who are at risk of serious harm.”
The inquiry will also investigate whether the gambling market is used to find and exploit vulnerable young people in criminal activities. If necessary, the investigator will propose measures that counteract such recruitment.
“Boys and young men are greatly overrepresented among those who get caught up in gambling addiction,” said Minister for Gender Equality Nina Larsson. “I am also concerned that the proportion of boys with risky gambling has doubled in recent years. We must reverse this negative trend. Preventing young men from getting caught up in problematic gambling is an important gender equality issue.”
The investigation will also examine existing efforts to limit children and young people’s access to lottery or casino features within computer games, and analyze the need for further measures to be introduced.
The investigation will analyze the regulations of other countries to identify possible measures in Sweden to protect children and young adults, and weigh up new protective measures against illegal gambling operators.
Finally, it will analyze the need to review the financial situation of young players when gambling and consider mandatory time limits when gambling.
The assignment must be completed by 29 February 2028.