Svenska Spel Proposes 18 New Gambling Regulations: Young People and Women Most at Risk

Svenska Spel, Sweden’s state-owned operator, has published a 42-page report with 18 new proposals aimed at strengthening gambling regulation in the country. The research places strong focus on protecting young people and women, groups highlighted as especially vulnerable in today’s high-risk gaming environment.

The proposals revolve around three key areas:

• Stronger protection for young players

• Blocking unlicensed casinos

• A new risk classification system for games

The report acknowledges that Sweden’s 2019 gambling re-regulation was well-intentioned but says progress has been slower compared to other European countries. Key threats to younger audiences include lootboxes, skin betting, and unregulated streamers on platforms like Twitch and Kick.

Another unique focus of the report is gender. Svenska Spel found that women not only play different games compared to men but also face higher comorbidity with other issues and often transition into problem gambling faster.

CEO Anna Johnson stressed:

“Seven years after re-regulation, we are still far from a safe market. Young people and women are particularly at risk, and growth is concentrated in high-risk products like online casinos.”

These proposals add to the ongoing debate in Sweden, where the Gambling Act is under review. One idea is to apply stricter marketing rules specifically to online casinos rather than blanket restrictions across all gambling sectors.