Swedish gaming authority provides free tools to educate the young
News on 9 Feb 2015
News on 9 Feb 2015
In its latest social responsibility initiative, Swedish gaming authority Lotteriinspektion is set to launch “prataomspel” (Talk about the game) a programme focused on educating school-going children from grades 7 upwards.
The educational material allows students to work on issues that affect probability, advertising analysis and gender related issues, among other topics, in terms of gambling.
“The impression is that the advertising situation is chaotic in Sweden and much of the advertising targets the young. It is unreasonable and exposes more young people to the risk of debt and addiction problems. With prior education, we are equipping the young with established skills to assess and control gambling related issues,” Joakim Rönngren, director of communications, Lotteriinspektionen said.
A survey conducted by The Swedish Council for Information on Alcohol and Other Drugs, CAN, that focused on young people’s gambling habits showed some worrying stats:
More than 20 percent of school boys in grade 9 indicated that they had played for money in the last 12 months.
In high school more than 30 percent played for money during the same period. This despite the fact that there is an 18-year-old limit for most gambling in Sweden.
Socio-economically disadvantaged areas show higher figures regarding problem gambling than average. The ”Stockholm survey” 2014 indicated alarmingly high figures in certain areas of Stockholm where boys were gambling in grade 9 primary school and grade 2 high school.
“Knowledge and education are key factors for young people to be able to handle the massive gambling advertising and the game offers that attract them,” Lotteriinspektionen said. “So teachers and educators will have a free tool in “prataomspel” to assist in educating the young.”
In related news, Swedish State monopoly Svenska Spel is said to be considering, on the back of lack-lustre FY2014 results, an expansion to its offer with the addition of online casino games.
Chief executive officer, Lennart Käll said the addition of new games at Svenska Spel will attract players away from black markets, estimated to be 20 percent of the market, and allow the organisation to offer support to more players exhibiting problem gambling behaviours.
