Swedish operators publish RG statistics in bi-annual report 

High-profile operators in Sweden have released their responsible gambling statistics for the first half of 2024.  

Unibet parent company Kindred Group, state-owned Svenska Spel, Stockholm-listed Betsson and horseracing giant ATG have all reported their respective data to the Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA). 

Licensed operators in Sweden are required to disclose the percentage of customers contacted as a result of problem gambling, as well as the number of customers who reduced their gambling off the back of being contacted.  

Operators must also share how much these players reduced their gambling on average, plus the number of customers who chose to self-exclude from betting for both less than six months and more than six months.  

For the first half of 2024, Kindred reported that 0.44% of its customer base were contacted after being flagged as a problem gambling risk.  

The corresponding figure for Svenska Spel’s sports and casino division was 5.2% along with 0.5% for its lottery brand, ATG’s was 1.6% and Betsson’s 1.9%.

Kindred’s data showed 76.9% of contacted customers reduced their gambling as a result of proactive messages from the operator, down from 78% in H2 2023.  

As for Svenska Spel, 78% of contacted customers for sports and casino cut down on their betting, and likewise 76.5% of lottery players.

For ATG, 59% of contacted players decreased their gambling, up from 56% in H2 2023.

For Betsson, 60% of contacted players scaled back their gambling, down from 61% in H2 2023.

On the whole, Kindred’s suspected problem gamblers reduced their wagering by 82%.  

Svenska Spel’s corresponding figure was 50% across both sports and casino and lottery.  

ATG’s at-risk customers reduced their deposits by 62%, up from 60% in H2 2023.  

With Betsson, potential problem gamblers reduced their deposits by 82%, compared to 83% in H2 2023.

Just under 2% of Kindred’s flagged customers chose to self-exclude from the platform for less than six months, while 1% chose to stay away for six months or longer. 

For Svenska Spel’s sports and casino arm, 13% of contacted customers self-excluded for less than six months, while 4.4% excluded for six months or longer.  

For the operator’s lottery division, 13.5% excluded for fewer than six months, while 5% took a break of six months or longer.  

When it came to Betsson, 10% of contacted players chose to self exclude.

Lastly, 1.7% of ATG’s potential problem gamblers self-excluded for less than six months, and 2% chose to stay away for six months or longer.  

Swedish operators are required to report these figures to the regulator every six months. 

A statement issued by Kindred Group said: “The purpose of publishing the key metrics is to raise awareness among Swedish stakeholders on high-risk gambling behaviour and how effective operators are to prevent high-risk gambling through balanced regulation, technology, research and human contact. A more fact-based and open dialogue increases trust in the industry.” 

ATG head of fair play, Sophie Linhag, added: “It is important that the companies, ATG, Svenska Spel, Kindred and Betsson continue to report key figures for gambling responsibility in an equivalent way.  

“The transparency contributes to driving the gaming industry in a more sustainable direction. The key figures are relevant to report based on the fact that they form the core of the duty of care, an important provision in the Gambling Act – to guard risky playing patterns, make contacts and ensure limited play when there are reasons for it.” 

In March 2024, Svenska Spel was fined SEK100m (£7.5m) by the SGA for failing to protect players from problem gambling.