Sweden’s National Audit Office has found weaknesses in the country’s gambling harm prevention initiatives, especially for young people. The report noted structural problems in prevention, early intervention, and treatment systems and urged authorities to improve the measures and introduce clearer operational guidance. The office estimated that over 350,000 individuals experienced gambling-related harm of different degrees,
Sweden’s National Audit Office has found weaknesses in the country’s gambling harm prevention initiatives, especially for young people.
The report noted structural problems in prevention, early intervention, and treatment systems and urged authorities to improve the measures and introduce clearer operational guidance.
The office estimated that over 350,000 individuals experienced gambling-related harm of different degrees, and that healthcare, social services, and other economic expenses cost the government around €1 billion annually. However, municipalities and healthcare providers hadn’t been able to correctly prevent and treat these problems.
It was also revealed that Sweden hadn’t ensured consistent use of research and expertise in practical prevention strategies, and despite knowledge about gambling harm, it hadn’t been integrated into frontline services. Public institutions didn’t have strict procedures for identifying at-risk individuals, and government agencies and healthcare providers didn’t cooperate to the necessary extent.
Young people were the most vulnerable group, because digital gambling services were easily accessible and gambling-like features were increasingly added to video games. Schools also didn’t have mandatory programs to address gambling harm, which further reduced the chance of early awareness and intervention.
Healthcare and social services didn’t have structured procedures to treat young people suffering from gambling-related harm either, which resulted in support beginning only after gambling problems were already present.