Young male athletes at risk for problem gambling: Findings from a cross-sectional study in Sweden

Previous research has shown that male athletes at the elite level in Sweden have a higher proportion of gambling problems than the average male population in the country. However, there is a knowledge gap in the prevalence of gambling problems among young athletes. To address this gap, this study aimed to explore gambling behavior among young athletes and to examine the associations between individual and environmental factors and problem gambling. The cross-sectional survey comprised questions from the Problem Gambling Severity Index and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, in addition to self-constructed items on individual and environmental factors. The data were derived from a sample of 1,636 students from the National Sports Education Program (NIU) and 816 grassroots athletes of the same age (16-20 years old). The results showed that male athletes had a higher prevalence of problem gambling compared to female athletes, and that a large proportion of male athletes had gambled during school hours. The prevalence of problem gambling was almost zero for women. The prevalence of problem gambling among male athletes over 18 years of age was 9% in NIU athletes and 3.6% in grassroots athletes, while for men under 18 years of age, the prevalence was 4.9% in NIU athletes and 1.3% in grassroots athletes. The study highlights the importance of considering contextual factors such as the school and team environment in preventing problem gambling among young male athletes.