helskärm
1 / 2Foto: Noella Johansson/TT
A brother’s struggle with gambling addiction prompted a call for increased state support in Sweden.
Like hundreds of thousands of other Swedes, one man battled a severe gambling problem, but adequate assist was challenging to find, according to reports from February 14, 2026.
“The state is not doing enough,” said Arvid Bergman.
In September 2021, Bergman’s brother reached a critical point, with destructive gambling dominating his life and leading to a pattern of deceit. He felt trapped and without options.
“It got so bad that he tried to commit suicide,” Bergman stated.
Support Systems Fall Short
For an extended period, Bergman attempted to help his brother overcome his addiction, describing a situation where he became codependent in the process. While the local municipality offered approximately ten psychological consultations, accessing comprehensive support for both of them proved challenging.
“Even though help is available, it’s not enough. This is a lifelong illness that requires ongoing work,” Bergman explained. “I was never offered any family support.”
A recent review by the Swedish National Audit Office criticized the state’s efforts to address problematic gambling. According to the Public Health Agency, gambling addiction costs the Swedish state an estimated 11.5 billion kronor annually. Responsibility for prevention and treatment rests with municipalities and healthcare providers, with agencies like the Public Health Agency and the National Board of Health and Welfare tasked with developing supporting knowledge resources.
The National Audit Office identified shortcomings in this knowledge support system, a point with which Bergman agrees. He reiterated that the state needs to do more, particularly in reducing wait times for assistance. “A gambler seeking help has a very short window of receptiveness. The processes are too lengthy.”
Statistics from the Swedish Gambling Authority indicate that 72 percent of Swedes engaged in gambling in 2025, with approximately 350,000 individuals suffering from some form of gambling addiction.
Bergman’s brother is now on the path to recovery, thanks to support from a non-profit organization.
A Mother’s Intervention
When the situation was at its worst, the brothers’ mother discovered Spelfriheten, an organization offering free self-help meetings for both gamblers and their families.
“When my brother came home from the hospital in September 2021, he started attending meetings. About a week later, I joined as well. It has changed my life; it’s a place where I don’t perceive alone,” Bergman said.
Today, both brothers are doing well and continue to attend self-help meetings, with Bergman’s brother also participating in a twelve-step program. “My brother is now free from gambling. We both continue to attend self-help meetings and he is continuing to work on himself in a twelve-step program. I feel better than ever. No one should have to feel alone in this,” Bergman concluded.
