Swedish Study Reveals Alarming Mental Health Comorbidity Among Young Female Online Casino Players
2026-07-23
Source: iGaming Future
A Swedish study found that 34% of female gamblers aged 18-26 have a prior mental health diagnosis, nearly triple the rate for male peers. The research highlights a need for gender-specific problem gambling support as online casino play grows.
A new Swedish study has uncovered a sharp disparity in mental health diagnoses between young female and male gamblers, particularly among online casino players. The research, conducted by independent institute Reflect Företagsutveckling AB via the Norstat consumer panel, surveyed 3,463 individuals who engage in both land-based and online gambling.
The most striking finding: 34% of female respondents aged 18–26 reported a previous mental health diagnosis, nearly three times the 13% rate among male gamblers of the same age. Across all age groups, 29% of female gamblers had a concurrent mental health disorder, highlighting a pattern that experts say is chronically under-researched.
Study Context and Market Background
Sweden has roughly 350,000 problem gamblers out of a population of 10.7 million, placing it at the high end of the European average (1.5%–3%). Since the 2018 gambling act re-regulated the market, the Swedish Gambling Authority has tightened controls, but critics argue these efforts are not reaching vulnerable groups—particularly young women.
In 2026, Swedish gross gaming revenue grew 1.3%, with online casino and sports betting rising 3.2% to SEK18.4 billion (£1.41bn/US$2.03bn). Online gambling now commands a 69% market share, a shift that some analysts link to increased harm among groups traditionally less associated with problem gambling.
Gender Differences in Gambling Motivation
Research across Europe suggests women often gamble as a coping mechanism rather than for thrill-seeking. According to the study, men typically cite excitement, control, and the prospect of big wins, while many women turn to gambling as a “maladaptive coping-mechanism” for stress, loneliness, or existing mental health issues. UK charity GamCare echoes this: “Gambling [amongst women] is often more of a strategy to cope with something else that’s happened.”
The Swedish data adds hard numbers to anecdotal evidence. In 2019, the BBC reported that female gambling addicts outnumbered men in Sweden—a statistic unmatched elsewhere in Europe. A 2023 Swedish study also found more women seeking treatment for gambling disorders, with higher concurrent depression and anxiety.
Need for Targeted Research and Support
Addiction specialist Louise Miller noted in the report that while only 0.2% of Swedish women and 0.8% of men have severe gambling disorder, women account for a disproportionate share of new cases progressing from low-risk to problem gambling. The findings underscore a gap in tailored treatment programs.
The study signals an urgent need for more comprehensive research on women's gambling patterns, which are often hidden by shame and secrecy—factors amplified by the privacy of online casino apps. As digital platforms make gambling accessible around the clock, experts call for gender-specific support strategies to address the distinct drivers of harm in young female players.