High prevalence of gambling problems among young elite football players
A new study shows that gambling is common among Swedish junior elite football players, including underage players. The prevalence of gambling problems is considerably higher than in the general population, while awareness of clubs’ gambling policies is low.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet, have investigated gambling habits and gambling related problems among male junior elite football players in Sweden. The study included 741 youth players from the two highest national leagues.
The findings show that 32 per cent of the players had gambled during the previous year. Among players aged 18 years or older, the proportion was substantially higher, exceeding 60 per cent. However, more than one in five underage players also reported gambling despite the legal age restriction.
Gambling problems, measured using established screening instruments, were identified in 9.4 per cent of participants. The prevalence was almost twice as high among players aged over 18 compared with younger players, although a substantial proportion of those under 18 also met the criteria for problem gambling.
“Our study shows that junior elite football players are at high risk of developing gambling problems, which may have very serious consequences for both health and finances. It is also concerning that so many underage players are gambling,” says Anders Nilsson, the study's first author, psychologist and researcher at the Centre for psychiatry research, Department of clinical neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet
Risk factors
The study identified several factors associated with an increased risk of gambling problems. Participation in fast paced forms of gambling, such as slot machines, showed the strongest association with problem gambling. Symptoms of depression were also linked to increased risk. At the same time, sports betting was the most common form of gambling overall.
Only 15 per cent of the players stated that they were aware that their club had a written policy regarding gambling. This suggests a need for clearer structures and stronger preventive measures within football.
“There is clearly a major need to strengthen preventive efforts related to gambling within football clubs, not least because gambling companies have a strong presence through club sponsorship and advertising during television broadcasts,” says Anders Nilsson.
The study was funded by the independent research council of Svenska Spel and by Swedish Elite Football. The researchers report no competing interests. The funders had no role in the study design, data collection, analysis or interpretation of the findings.
Publication
"Gambling and problem gambling among male junior elite footballers in Sweden: a cross-sectional study of prevalence, age differences and correlates", Nilsson A, Wall H, Gripenberg J, Elgan TH. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, online 14 May 2026, doi:10.1136/ bmjsem-2026-003241.