Swedish Report Warns of Rising Youth Gambling

The Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen) has raised alarms over the rise in youth gambling, particularly among young men.

The report identifies online marketing, video games, and influencer promotions as key factors driving young adults toward gambling.

Concerns grow as many young gamblers fund their bets through wages, student loans, and high-cost credit, increasing addiction risks.

Learn how Sweden’s youth gambling landscape is evolving and what measures are being considered to address this growing concern.

Swedish Report Highlights Rising Youth Gambling and Financial Risks

3 Key Points:

1. Youth Gambling is Rising: The report shows a surge in gambling among young men, influenced by digital platforms and marketing tactics.
2. Financial Risks Identified: Many young adults fund gambling with student loans and high-interest credit, increasing addiction vulnerability.
3. Regulatory Concerns Grow: The Swedish Gambling Authority is investigating unlicensed operators amid complaints of marketing to self-excluded players.

A new Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen) report highlights the increasing prevalence of gambling among young adults and minors, particularly in the 18–24 age group. The findings were presented to the Swedish government as part of the 2024 appropriation bill, which tasked regulators with examining the drivers of youth gambling engagement.

According to the report, young men are especially drawn to gambling, with online casinos, sports betting, and video game-related gambling mechanics fueling interest. A growing concern is the rise of loot boxes and skin gambling, which blur the line between gaming and gambling, potentially normalizing betting behaviors from an early age.

The Influence of Digital Marketing and Social Media

The report identifies social media promotions, casino streaming, and influencer endorsements as key factors attracting young audiences to gambling.

Online casino brands actively use platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and Instagram to market gambling as an exciting and glamorous activity. Many young users are exposed to casino streamers wagering large amounts in high-stakes sessions, reinforcing the idea of quick and easy wins.

Additionally, unlicensed operators continue to target Swedish players, often bypassing local advertising restrictions and reaching self-excluded individuals on Sweden’s Spelpaus register.

How Young Adults Are Funding Their Gambling

The report highlights troubling financial trends in how young adults fund their gambling activities. Many rely on:

• Wages and student loans, often gambling away significant portions of their income.
• High-interest loans, particularly among men aged 23–24, increasing the risk of financial instability and problem gambling.
• Credit card debt, making it easier to chase losses and spiral into financial distress.

Notably, gambling classified as ‘risky’ has risen among underage boys since 2019, while remaining stable among young women. Meanwhile, an increasing number of individuals under 25 are seeking help for gambling-related problems.

Regulatory and Compliance Challenges

Alongside youth gambling concerns, the Swedish Gambling Authority has been investigating a potential breach in the Spelpaus self-exclusion system.

Some self-excluded players have reported receiving promotional offers from unlicensed operators, sparking fears that data leaks may have compromised protected player information. The authority, however, denies any data breach and is continuing its investigation into how these players were targeted.

Meanwhile, regulators continue to monitor the evolving gambling landscape, assessing whether additional restrictions on marketing, financial controls, and self-exclusion enforcement are needed.

Sweden Faces a Growing Youth Gambling Challenge

The Swedish Gambling Authority’s latest report underscores the growing risks of youth gambling, particularly as online platforms and financial accessibility make gambling more enticing and dangerous for young players.

With marketing influences, digital payment accessibility, and high-risk credit options fueling problem gambling, regulators may need to tighten advertising controls, strengthen self-exclusion measures, and implement financial safeguards.

As more young Swedes engage in gambling, the industry must balance commercial growth with responsible gaming measures, ensuring that harm prevention efforts keep pace with the sector’s rapid evolution.