TLDR Problem gambling rates in Sweden fell from over 2% to just above 1% over 25 years, meaning roughly 57,000 fewer problem gamblers At-risk gamblers also declined by an estimated 200,000 people despite massive online betting industry growth Sweden captures about 85% of its gambling market within the regulated system Around 136,000 users signed up for Sweden’s national self-exclusion program, but about half still gamble through unlicensed operators Sweden recently overhauled its digital gambling laws with a new strict licensing framework
Sweden has seen a steady decline in problem gambling rates over the past 25 years, according to a recent economic study. The research covered official government documents and literature spanning more than two decades.
The percentage of adult problem gamblers dropped from over 2% in the late 2000s to slightly above 1% in recent years. That translates to roughly 57,000 fewer people struggling with gambling-related issues.
The broader group of at-risk gamblers also shrank by an estimated 200,000 people during the same period. However, rates of severe gambling addiction stayed relatively stable throughout those years.
What makes this trend unusual is that it happened while the online betting industry was booming. Marketing budgets grew dramatically over the last two decades before recent regulatory changes kicked in.
Digital casino game offerings expanded rapidly during this timeframe. Smartphone access and high-speed internet became available to nearly everyone in the country.
Despite easier access to online gambling, problem gambling among online players still dropped. Swedish citizens continue to participate in iGaming at high rates, with research showing that a majority of the population regularly bets on sportsbooks or plays online casino games.
Sweden’s Regulated Gambling Market Leads Nordics
Industry analysts say a key factor behind the improvement is channeling players toward licensed and regulated platforms. This process allows officials