(AsiaGameHub) –   A new report commissioned by the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS) and written by economist Ola Nevander indicates that problem gambling rates in Sweden have decreased significantly since the late 2000s.

This downward trend occurred even as the online gambling sector saw rapid expansion, higher advertising spend, and improved digital access.

The study utilized the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) as a screening mechanism to quantify these figures.

A decrease in problem gambling

The frequency of problem gambling among adults in Sweden has seen a major reduction. The percentage of the adult population identified as problem gamblers (with a PGSI score of 3 or higher) fell from 2.2% in 2008-09 to 1.3% by 2021.

This represents a decrease of approximately 57,000 individuals, marking a 35% drop over the period. Furthermore, the number of people classified as at-risk gamblers (PGSI 1+) decreased by an estimated 200,000 during the same timeframe.

Despite this overall decline, the rate of severe problem gambling (PGSI 8+ or equivalent) has remained largely constant over the decades, staying between 0.3% and 0.6% of the population.

Among those who participated in online gambling over the past year, the rate of problem gambling fell sharply from 12% in 2008-09 to roughly 4% between 2018 and 2021.

While problem gambling is on the decline, Swedes remain active participants in the market. A recent study by Casinofeber found that nearly 18% of Swedes played online casino games in 2025, while 24% engaged in online sports betting during that same year.

These developments occurred during a transformative two decades for the Swedish market. Real-term marketing spending by the industry grew nearly ninefold between 2000 and 2024, reaching a peak in 2018 before falling after the 2019 licensing reforms. Online casino options grew more than ten times between the mid-2000s and 2019. Furthermore, smartphone and internet usage reached almost total saturation by 2020.

Market channelisation and self-exclusion

A significant institutional factor mentioned is the movement of players toward licensed platforms. Higher channelisation allows for the consistent enforcement of consumer safety measures, such as duty-of-care requirements, self-exclusion options, and data-led monitoring.

BOS reported an overall channelisation rate of roughly 85%, though rates are slightly lower for online casinos. Norway and Denmark have achieved higher rates of 91.5% and 91% respectively, while Finland’s rate sits much lower at 48% as it prepares for its own licensing changes.

Sweden’s national self-exclusion registry, Spelpaus, recorded approximately 136,000 users by March 2026, representing 1.6% of the adult population. However, data from helplines and surveys suggest that about half of those who self-exclude continue to gamble via unlicensed providers.

The effectiveness of CBT

The report examines both domestic and international research regarding treatment and prevention strategies.

While machine-learning systems that monitor transaction data show potential for identifying problem gambling, long-term studies are still needed. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has shown strong results in mitigating gambling harm. The survey noted that meta-analyses indicate CBT can effectively reduce gambling frequency, spending, and addiction symptoms compared to control groups.

Jakob Jonsson, a psychologist with extensive experience in treating gambling disorders, advocated for centralized systems to combat the sense of anonymity in online gambling. He noted that many players feel invisible, as if their actions are unobserved.

Sweden overhauled its online gambling regulations in 2019, establishing a licensing system with specific requirements for operators.

The country has recently engaged in further regulatory discussions. Hasse Lord Skarplöth, the outgoing CEO of ATG, suggested that Sweden should adopt a tiered tax system to protect horse racing from tax increases, similar to models used in the UK.

David Sundén, an expert in regulatory policy and taxation, noted that while the Swedish system is generally effective, there is still room for progress. He suggested that Sweden should look to its neighbors to learn what pitfalls to avoid, noting that no single country has a perfect system.