Svenska Spel’s independent research council has granted SEK2.2m (€2.1m) in funds to research gambling addiction in Sweden.

The total amount will be divided over four research projects and aims to fuel study into the reasons for gambling addiction and how players can find support. Since Svenska Spel’s independent research council was established in 2019, it has granted SEK45m in funds to 35 research projects and studies.

“This year’s applications were high quality and showed breadth,” Sara Lindholm, Chair of Svenska Spel’s independent research council, said.

“It is socially important that we continue to support research that aims to develop evidence-based methods to counteract gambling. In addition, it is important that research can help society develop new treatment methods for gambling addiction,” Sara Lindholm added.

Jakob Jonsson at the Center for Psychiatric Research, Karolinska Institutet, has been awarded SEK727,892 to further his study on whether self-testing measures affect players’ gambling behaviours.

Sofia Vadlin, from the Center for Clinical Research for the region of Västmanland, has received SEK500,000 of the total to explore the effects of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic on gambling behaviours and gambling problems.

Researcher Anna Söderpalm Gordh, of Sahlgrenska Academy, received SEK500,000 to fund research into computer game addiction. The study will evaluate the effects of a 15-week cognitive behavioural therapy course designed to address an addiction to computer games.

The final SEK500,000 has been granted to Tobias Elgan at the Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, to investigate why gambling problems are more prominent in elite male athletes.