SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Svenska Spel has praised the impact of its Independent Research Council on Gambling Risks and Addiction.
The programme has entered its fifteenth year since its formation as an independent body, having reached the milestone of providing over SEK 100m (€10m) in funding for projects that deliver deeper insights into the impacts of problem gambling.
In 2024, Svenska Spel announced that it had received a record number of applications for direct funding from the council, which allocated SEK 6m (€650,000) to help launch seven new research projects.
These projects have begun investigating critical areas, including the comorbidity of problem gambling with other mental illnesses, the impact of gambling advertising, and whether micro-transactions in games influence gambling behaviours.
Endorsed by Sara Lindholm Larsson, Independent Chair of Svenska Spel’s Research Council, the 2024 projects aim to provide a broader societal context for gambling addiction, as these impacts need to be understood within everyday settings.
Larsson explained: “We see a growing need to understand gambling problems in a broader societal context. Much of the focus is on mental health, particularly among young people. It is a positive development that means we can contribute knowledge that truly makes a difference.”
Svenska Spel underscored its commitment to funding first-of-its-kind projects, through which its programme seeks to help Swedish authorities and health agencies foster a deeper understanding of gambling addiction and behaviours.
Since 2022, Svenska Spel has published quarterly data on safer gambling metrics related to the Swedish market— a pledge maintained alongside Kindred Group and ATG.
“It is natural for the gaming market to develop, but it must be done in a responsible manner. By supporting research and spreading knowledge, we want to contribute to a more sustainable gaming market where risks are reduced,” said Anna Johnson, President and CEO of Svenska Spel
