A new report from Sweden’s Equality Commission, or Jämlikhetskommissionen, says iGaming in the country should be available only during limited periods to help reduce the risk of compulsive gambling, and other measures should be put in place to alleviate the problem. Most players indulge on Fridays and Saturdays.
The recommendations were made in a report “aimed at increasing economic equality in the long term and increasing the opportunities for social mobility” from the commission, part of the Ministry of Finance, according to CDC Gaming Reports.
The report also supports deposit limits across the entire regulated market, and gambling advertisements that warn about the dangers of unchecked gambling.
Commissioners say about 2 percent of the Swedish population suffers from gambling addiction, and 0.4 percent have a “severe addiction.” A small number of players accounted for 50 percent of gambling turnover in 2017, the report showed, and women are more likely to show signs of addiction than men.
The commission contends that lower earners tend to be “more vulnerable” due to a lack of disposable income, though they gamble less on average than higher earners. Online gambling and especially online casino, it said, were the verticals most likely to lead to problem gambling.
However, it warned against overly strict regulation, which it said may create channelization issues.
“In the same way as with alcohol policy, the policy needs to focus on preventing abuse through balanced efforts rather than limiting all gambling. Excessive restrictions or high taxes can lead to an increased share of unregulated gambling.”
The Jämlikhetskommissionen recommended that gambling should have “limited opening hours.” It didn’t specify when hours should be trimmed, but noted that most gambling takes place on Fridays and Saturdays.
The report also said that stake limits—like a self-imposed deposit limit that is enforced for 24 hours—also can help players by offering a break in play.
“When this maximum amount specified on a daily basis is reached, the player should not be able to continue gambling,” the Jämlikhetskommissionen said. The commission said that there may be “reasons to discuss” an annual deposit limit such as that in Norway, but did not include it in its list of recommendations.
When it comes to advertising, the report pointed out, “Those who respond most to advertising have a high level of impulse-driven consumption, both in gambling and elsewhere. This risks leading to overconsumption, problem gambling, gambling abuse or displacement of necessary spending.”
Suggested warning messages include, “Most people who gamble lose money,” “Gambling addiction increases the risk of suicide,” and “Children of gambling-addicted parents risk a bad start in life.”
