Major football championships brighten up the summers for many, but there is also a dark side. Gambling addiction within sports betting is increasing.
It's a fantastic feature for many, but can be pure hell for others, says Adam Kirstein Reuterswärd at the addiction centre Spelfriheten.
Even before the football European Championship in Germany kicked off, the addiction centre Spelfriheten noticed that more people, both players and relatives, were contacting them with their concerns.
Many of those who contact us are worried that they will be drawn back into gambling because they see advertising for it everywhere right now, says Adam Kirstein Reuterswärd, market and client coordinator at Spelfriheten.
A normal month, Spelfriheten receives around 1,100 help-seeking contacts. By June 26, they had reached almost 1,600 for the month.
Football European Championship attracts
Compared to the same period last year, the proportion of those seeking help for sports betting increased from 3 out of 10 to 5 out of 10 among those seeking help at Spelfriheten. A clear majority of these stated the European Championship as a strong contributing factor to their relapse or escalation of gambling.
Something that the company thinks has become a bigger problem than before is betting that takes place at workplaces.
Of those who contacted us before the tournament, over a hundred mentioned this. A typical case can be that you're worried about being drawn back into gambling when all colleagues are talking about it. At the same time, you often haven't told colleagues about a previous gambling addiction and don't want to be left out, says Adam Kirstein Reuterswärd.
Don't believe in bans
Awareness of gambling addiction at workplaces has not caught up with the awareness that exists around, for example, alcohol or drug abuse, according to the organization. However, they do not believe in banning gambling at workplaces.
Strict bans usually don't work, but gambling for money is something that shouldn't come with the job. It's better to let employees do it among themselves than for management to arrange some betting.
For those who are struggling with gambling problems or are afraid of being drawn into it during the European Championship, Spelfriheten has some advice.
We try to remind people that this is temporary and the tournament has an end. You can get help through, among other things, self-help groups and meeting people who are in the same situation. Moreover, many have experienced a positive reaction when they have opened up to colleagues about their gambling addiction, says Adam Kirstein Reuterswärd.
Support line
The support line provides advice and support to people who gamble, and their relatives. You can call anonymously on 020-81 91 00. You can also chat on stodlinjen.se or email. Even you who work with gambling problems can turn to the support line.
Spelpaus.se
Via spelpaus.se, you can shut off all gambling that requires registration.
Gambling Addicts' National Association and Gambling Addiction Group
Gambling Addicts' National Association and Gambling Addiction Group have local support associations and physical and digital self-help groups for gambling addicts and relatives. Read more on spelberoende.se and spelberoendegruppen.se
Source: Public Health Agency and Support line.
