Svenska Spel awards SEK5m in addiction research grants

Svenska Spel’s Research Council has selected five new research projects to support, issuing grants totalling SEK5m (£425,471/€474,312/$534,260) to initiatives looking to find ways to better treat understand gambling addiction.

The operator has only revealed details of three of the projects to it will support, with one to map gambling addiction among professional ice hockey players in Sweden.

Another grant will help fund the development of a new internet-based addiction treatment service, while the other will examine the connection between trauma and problem gambling in women.

“It is with great pleasure that we have selected projects that have the potential to contribute to increased knowledge about gambling addiction,” Svenska Spel research council chair Sara Lindholm said.

Established in 2010, the research council awards grants of SEK5m each year, to increase knowledge and understanding of gambling problems, and how best to prevent them. It is made up of experienced researchers and representatives from social interest groups, and assesses applications based on the scientific quality of the project, and its relevance to society.

“At Svenska Spel we strive to offer safe games and gaming environments,” Svenska Spel sustainability manager Scarlett Roa explained. “To be able to develop our responsible gaming processes it is crucial to support research.”

The operator has already set high social responsibility controls, which has seen it cease offering bonuses and promotions, and implement ID verification across all channels. The controls have been tightened further in 2019, with Svenska Spel cancelling all advertising for its online casino product for the remainder of the year, as a result of the high risk profile of games such as slots.