The government of Sweden has launched an inquiry into children’s and young adults’ gambling, appointing Chief Legal Officer at Karolinska Institutet, Zandra Milton, to lead the investigation and propose new protections against youth gambling harm.
Milton is expected to collect a knowledge base, including an analysis of gambling marketing and international gambling legislation, and submit proposals on what kind of measures can be implemented to increase safeguards against gambling harm. The report is scheduled to be finalized by February 29, 2028, and sent to the Swedish Ministry of Health and Social Affairs.
Health Minister Elisabet Lann commented:
“In just a few years, risky gambling among young men has doubled, and one in five is affected. Therefore, we need to strengthen protection and prevent gambling from leading to health issues, debt, or being drawn into crime.”
The Ministry of Health and Social Affairs added:
“The report will analyze the need to review young players’ financial situation when gambling and consider mandatory time limits when gambling. The investigator will weigh new protective measures against the risk that gambling will increase at gambling companies without a Swedish license.”
Additionally, the inquiry will study whether Sweden’s gambling market exploits vulnerable young people in its criminal activities, and if proof of such conduct is found, the government will explore measures to stop the recruitment.
