Analysis of Swedish gambling operators’ action plans to fulfill their duty-of-care obligations

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Author(s): Lakew, Nathan ; Lindner, Philip

Journal: Harm Reduction Journal

Year Published: 2025

Date Added: February 20, 2026

This study examined the action plans (APs) submitted by 52 Swedish gambling operators outlining strategies to fulfill their duty-of-care obligations. The results indicate that gambling operators performed well on specific dimensions of duty of care, such as risk identification and monitoring. But they tended to score low on dimensions like proactive engagement and product transparency. Overall, operators tend to comply with stricter requirements when they are clearly mandated and enforced.

Citation: Lakew, N., & Lindner, P. (2025). What do they say they are doing? A mixed-methods analysis of Swedish gambling operators’ duty of care action plans. Harm Reduction Journal, 22, 196. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-025-01349-y

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-025-01349-y

Keywords: behavioural tracking ; duty of care ; policy ; public policy

Topics: Information for Operators ; Information for Policy Makers

Conceptual Framework Factors: Environment - Culture of Social Responsibility ; Environment - Responsible Gambling ; Resources - Harm Reduction, Prevention, and Protection ; Gambling Environment ; Environment - Public Policy ; Gambling Resources

Study Design: Mixed Methods

Geographic Coverage: Sweden

Study Population: Action plans of 52 Swedish gambling operators outlining strategies to fulfill duty of care commitments.

Sampling Procedure: The researchers obtained access to the action plans of 52 licensed gambling operators detailing their strategies to fulfill duty of care commitments via a freedom of information request.

Study Funding:

Open access funding was provided by Karolinska Institutet. Nathan Lakew was funded by a grant from the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life, and Welfare.