Effects of Sweden’s COVID-19 related regulation to prevent gambling problems

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Author(s): Håkansson, Anders ; Sundvall, Andreas ; Lyckberg, Axel

Journal: JMIR Formative Research

Year Published: 2022

Date Added: May 11, 2022

In Sweden, temporary legislation became effective from July 2, 2020, to prevent gambling problems during COVID-19. It imposed a maximum deposit limit of 5000 SEK per week for online casino and land-based electronic gaming machines (EGMs). This study examined awareness of and attitudes towards the regulation, and its effects on gambling behaviour. Participants were customers of a state-owned gambling operator. All had reached the weekly 5000 SEK deposit limit at least once in the summer of 2020.

Around 3 in 5 participants (61%) were aware of the regulation. Those with moderate-risk or problem gambling were more likely to be aware of the regulation and have favourable opinion towards it. Among participants who were aware of the regulation, around 2 in 5 (38.7%) thought it had decreased their overall gambling. A few participants (7.8%) thought it had increased their overall gambling. Most participants (82.5%) gambled at other operators after reaching their limit. An increase in gambling was associated with moderate-risk and problem gambling, as well as having a negative opinion towards the regulation.

Citation: Håkansson, A., Sundvall, A., & Lyckberg, A. (2022). Effects of a national preventive intervention against potential COVID-19–related gambling problems in online gamblers: Self-report survey study. JMIR Formative Research, 6(3), e33066. https://formative.jmir.org/2022/3/e33066

Article DOI: https://formative.jmir.org/2022/3/e33066

Keywords: behavioural addictions ; COVID-19 ; gambling disorder ; harm reduction ; interventions ; online gambling ; operator intervention ; prevention ; problem gambling

Topics: Gambling Resources ; Information for Operators ; Information for Treatment Providers ; Online Gambling ; Prevention

Conceptual Framework Factors: Exposure - Gambling Setting ; Types - Structural Characteristics ; Exposure - Accessibility ; Psychological Factors ; Resources - Harm Reduction, Prevention, and Protection ; Gambling Exposure

Study Design: Descriptive: Survey

Geographic Coverage: Sweden

Study Population: Customers of AB Svenska Spel who (1) received at least one notification about depositing 5000 SEK or more in their joint gambling account involving either online casino, online bingo, online sports betting, or online poker between July 2 to October 4, 2020, and (2) had lost at least 1000 SEK on online casino, online bingo, or online poker during that week (N = 619)

Sampling Procedure: The gambling operator AB Svenska Spel identified customers who met the study requirements from their client database and sent out an email with a web link to the survey. Data collection was carried out by an external consultant (the market survey company Norstat).

Study Funding:

No funding sources were declared for this study.