Sweden s agenda to tackle negative health effects related to problem gambling Anna Brooks Ministry of Health and Social Affairs Sweden
Three key areas for the organization of prevention and treatment of problems Responsibility Funding Funnd Knowledge
Political goals for the gambling policy Ensure sound and safe gambling market Social protection as well as meeting public demand for gambling Financial surplus should be safeguarded A system with monopoly and public control
The Gambling market in Sweden including foreign operators 18 15 Offshore on-line companies Svenska Spel Casino Cosmopol 17 Bingo National Lotteries 1 6 42 ATG Horse raising Source: Swedish Gambling Authority
Health and social problems related to gambling Swedish population 9 700 000 people 2 percent have gambling problem (194 000) 1 out of 7 in this group needs treatment (27 000) 5 percent report hazardous gambling problems (485 000) Alcohol abuse Poor mental health Many children at risk of insecure upbringing Connected to socio economic factors
Prevention and treatment in Sweden today Gambling problems a public health issue National level responsible for disseminating knowledge and promote good quality Regional level responsible for health care Local level responsible for social care Shared responsibility for alcohol and drug abuse Unclear responsibility for gambling problems
Responsibility for health and social problems related to gambling The Government and national agencies? The gambling companies? The health care and social services? The individual? Compare gambling market with alcohol market: The goal of the Swedish alcohol policy is to reduce the total consumption of alcohol Reduced accessibility is the most effective mean to reduce gambling problems as well as alcohol problems
Problem gambling shares risk factors with other addictions and lifestyle problems Supporting childhood conditions General health promotion Strengthen the work of health care and social services Gambling companies provide information and tools to help the individual to make the right decisions
Funding Gambling a significant source of revenue for governments
Knowledge Need to increase public awareness about risks and prevalence of gambling problems Need to spread and support the use of knowledge to professions, NGO s and decision makers for prevention and early detection Need for guidelines and best practice combined with strategy for implementation
Conclusions? No Swedish agenda to tackle health problems related to gambling - yet. A future agenda needs to adress how to distribute the responsibility between levels and actors, how to fund interventions and treatment, how to increase public awareness and stimulate the use of knowledge by professions, NGO s and decision makers
Reflections or questions? anna.brooks@regeringskansliet.se Thank You!