More Swedish women addicted to gambling

Published: 30 Aug 12

Increasing numbers Swedish women are becoming compulsive gamblers according to a new report, results which have left experts surprised and demanding new regulations.

The report, published Thursday by the Swedish National Institute of Public Health (Folkhälsoinstitutet, FHI), shows that middle aged women account for more than half of the compulsive gamblers, with a total of 2 percent of the population currently addicted.

“There is a huge flood of new gamblers and this worries us,” said researcher Ulla Romild to the TT news agency, adding that some 100,000 more Swedes become addicted to gambling each year.

However, just as many Swedes shook their addiction in the same time frame, although Romild explains that their problems remain.

"They probably have some problems left over that can be linked to their compulsive gambling, for example economic problems, problems with social relations and health - especially physical health," she said.

Researchers attribute the increase in gambling addiction among Swedish women to recent marketing efforts specifically directed toward women.

According to Romild, steps need to be taken to prevent a further increase.

“We think it’s important that people seriously consider the gambling issue, the entire gambling market should be regulated – I’m thinking especially of online gambling which is available to all of us. It has to be ensured that the gambling that can lead to problems should be regulated,” she said.

Women in the age range of 45-64 are the most likely to be addicted, with slot machines and online games being the most common choices. Heavy drinkers are also more likely to find themselves addicted.

But it is not only the women who have spend too much time gambling. 77 percent of men responded that they gamble "very often", a figure which rose by 4 percent over the 2-year period of interviewing.

The institute’s research was based on 6,000 interviews performed between 2008 and 2010, with respondents surveyed twice each with one-year intervals.

http://www.thelocal.se/42914/20120830/

Gambling addicts 'not getting enough help'

Gambling addicts 'not getting enough help'

Swedish health authorities have criticised the lack of help available in Sweden for gambling addiction, with many municipalities providing no resources at all to deal with the problem.


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Despite recent figures suggesting that nearly 200,000 people in Sweden have some kind of gambling problem the institute has slammed local authorities for not spending enough money dealing with the problem.

At least 50 municipalities provide no treatment at all for compulsive gamblers according to Sweden's National Institute for Public Health (Folkhälsoinstitutet).

“It is very serious for those who are addicted to gambling and for those who live with problem gamblers, Marie Risbäck, coordinator of problem gambling issues at the Institute, told Sveriges Radio (SR).

Gambling problems are especially prevalent among young men, where it is estimated that one in ten between the ages of 18-24 have issues to some degree with over 17 billion kronor ($2.5 billion) wasted just on Svenska Spel, ATG and other ostensibly Swedish betting operations.

Three years ago a survey showed that some 40 municipalities provided no help to those with gambling problems, and the situation has just got worse since, with even fewer resources being made available.

The Public Health Institute believes that the government on a national and local level is not taking responsibility for doing anything about it.

It has therefore called for a state run action plan for the prevention of problem gambling, clearer rules on betting advertising, and an increase in care and treatment to all those in need.

One in ten young Swedish men addicted to gambling: study

One in ten young Swedish men addicted to gambling: study

Gambling problems among young men have doubled in the past decade, according to a new survey from the Swedish National Institute of Public Health (Folkhälsöinstitutet - FHI).


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Despite the considerable expansion of gambling alternatives over the past ten years, the number of those suffering from gambling addictions has remained stable, and has even declined among minors, the FHI report shows.

Young men aged 18-24 are however increasingly at risk, with 40,000 people reported to be suffering from gambling addictions.

"When we look at the evolution of different population groups, there are are number of warning signs," said Marie Risbeck, FHI's coordinator gaming prevention, in a statement.

Among men aged 18-24, the proportion of problem gamblers has doubled in ten years and today amounts to around 10 percent of the age group, around 450,000 people in Sweden.

Scientific studies show that there is a clear connection between gambling problems and psychological ill-health, low income, and low education.

There is furthermore a clear link between excessive alcohol consumption and exposure to violence, FHI observed.

"We know that more than 260,000 people live together with a problem player, of which 75,000 are children," Marie Risbeck said.

Risbeck argued that gambling among under-aged players should be highlighted.

"Despite the fact that there is an 18-year-old limit on all gambling... many minors state that they have played for money in various forms," she said.

The report also includes a review of the measures and initiatives available to tackle the problem with excessive gambling.

Among the measures are a dedicated helpline, as well as a plethora of self help groups and other treatment alternatives.

FHI's report however calls for improvements in what is on offer to gambling addicts and for better coordination across the country.


Peter Vinthagen Simpson