Survey suggests almost three quarters of Swedes admit to gambling in 2021

Nearly three quarters of Swedes over the age of 18 gambled for real-money in 2021 according to the latest data from the Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA).

In a survey conducted by SKOP on behalf of the body, 73% of Swedes gambled for money from November 2020 through to November 2021, an increase of 7% on the previous year.

Consumers who gambled regularly, i.e., every week, remained at a constant of 29% in 2021 compared to 2020.

Lottery games were the most popular form of gambling with 75% of players having engaged with the vertical.

There was also a reported increase in players gambling at home rather than using retail options with 86% of customers electing to stay at home, an increase of 7%.

However, it was reported that those in the lower percentile for monthly wages were more likely to gamble in retail settings compared to those in the upper percentile.

Additionally, women and older customers tended to use retail shops compared to younger men who preferred to play on the internet.

The survey also established that customers with more than two active accounts across various operators said the main reason for doing so was the variety of content on offer across different sites.

However, the report did note that some of those consumers with multiple accounts did so to take advantage of various benefits including welcome bonuses.

This news will further strengthen the Swedish government’s plans to reintroduce deposit and bonus limits from 7 February designed to mimic those put in place during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Minister for Social Security Ardalan Shekarabi, who yesterday flagged further changes to the country’s gambling regulation, has aimed to battle against gambling-related harm with his clampdowns on bonus offers.

The survey was undertaken in November 2021 and saw more than 1,600 Swedes over the age of 18 interviewed.