From Boredom to Dependence: The Medicalisation of the Swedish Gambling Problem

Abstract

AIMS -The aim of this study is to investigate the medicalising of gambling problems by comparing the political discussions on gambling in the Swedish Parliament in the early 1970s and the early 2010s. DESIGN -Against a theoretical background on medicalising processes in general, and medicalisation of gambling problems in particular, we have analysed discussion protocols and parliamentary bills in the Swedish Parliament from the years 1970-1975 and 2012-2013. RESULTS -The problem descriptions of the 1970s and 2010s are, in certain respects, strikingly similar, identifying proactive operators such as the gambling companies and highlighting an inadequate legal framework. But where the MPs of the 1970s put some effort into describing the drab society which fed the need for gambling, the elected representatives of the 2010s shortcut to individual dependence. CONCLUSIONS -EU membership and the development of the Internet have made effective control and regulation impossible in the early 2010s and the political handling of the Swedish gambling problem is therefore a clear example of how market liberalisation can pave the way for individualisation, medicalisation and depoliticisation of social problems.

A thickening plot: components and complexities in the political framing of the smoking problem in Sweden, 1957–1993

“…For their part, the anti-regulators pointed out that the tobacco companies already addressed the issue responsibly, that banning advertising would probably be ineffectual, and that a ban would clash with the decree on the freedom of the press (PRF, 1964(PRF, :12, 1967PRS, 1962:26;1964:12;SLC, 1964:9/2/ 23). Just like when gambling restrictions were debated in the 1970s (Edman & Berndt, 2016), the Social Democrats also voiced their critique of a general nature that government bans would override individual freedom of choice (PRS, 1964:12). And just like when a gambling ban was debated, one may assume that the government had its eye on the tax revenue that could be lost (PRS, 1958(PRS, :10, 1962(PRS, :26, 1967GPC, 1958):11/B2.…”

Researchers should avoid conceptual banalisation

“…For instance, the vaguely defined disease concept made a Swedish public inquiry (SOU 2011:35) suggest coercive psychiatric treatment of heavy alcohol and drug users, something that was totally dependent on an understanding of problematic substance consumption as a disease-like condition. And when the gambling problem is being discussed in the Swedish parliament, this discussion is entirely based on an understanding of extensive gambling as a dependence disorder rather than a problem with social causes and solutions (Edman & Berndt, 2016).…”

What game we are playing: the psychosocial context of problem gambling, problem gaming and poor well-being among Italian high school students

“…Although gambling activities are legally restricted to adults in the majority of countries, they are not infrequent among youth ( Passanisi et al., 2020 ); those of the early 21st century grow up in a society where gambling is generally accepted and widely available ( Volberg et al., 2010 ). Worldwide, public policies liberalizing gambling and the technological innovations providing new gambling opportunities have led to a global expansion of the gambling market ( Banks, 2017 ) and has also encouraged the view of gambling as a harmless form of entertainment among the general population ( Edman and Berndt, 2016 ; Pedroni, 2018 ). The case of Italy – currently, the largest European gambling market and among the most important in the world – is a good example: the market has risen exponentially in the last two decades, so – although the Italian GDP represents only 3% of the world economy – the country accounts for 22% of the global expenditure on gambling ( Guiso, 2016 ).…”