# Umeå Principal Demands Ban on Gambling Ads Targeting Youth Rising gambling addiction among young men prompts government investigation into stricter advertising regulations. - **Source:** [SVT Nyheter](https://www.svt.se/nyheter) - **Published:** 2026-11-10 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/d4638a7b-7bec-4e3b-9e42-dc76ce1c3c66 ## Principal Calls for Ban Henrik Ragnvaldsson, principal at Umeå Elitidrottsgymnasium, is demanding a total ban on betting advertisements across social media platforms. He argues that current marketing tactics create an intense pressure on students. Ragnvaldsson believes that treating gambling ads similarly to alcohol restrictions is the most effective way to protect vulnerable young people today. ## Rising Addiction Statistics Data from the Centralförbundet för alkohol- och narkotikaupplysning reveals concerning trends among students. Approximately 14 percent of boys in their second year of gymnasium exhibit risky gambling behaviors. In ninth grade, ten percent of boys already face gambling-related problems, highlighting an urgent need for systemic intervention to curb these growing societal risks. ## AI-Driven Marketing Tactics Ragnvaldsson emphasizes that modern technology significantly complicates the situation for educators and parents. He notes that gambling companies utilize artificial intelligence to precisely target young users with tailored advertisements. This digital reach makes it increasingly difficult for schools to prevent exposure, as commercial interests aggressively pursue young demographics through social media. ## Government Launches Investigation The Swedish government has officially tasked lawyer Zandra Milton from the Karolinska Institute with leading an investigation into gambling protections. Healthcare Minister Elisabet Lann identified gambling addiction as a rapidly growing societal problem, particularly affecting young men. The inquiry aims to propose concrete measures to mitigate these severe risks for the younger population. ## Scope of the Inquiry The investigation will specifically analyze how direct marketing reaches children and young adults through digital channels. It will also evaluate the differences between licensed and unlicensed gambling operators. Furthermore, the study aims to compare international regulatory frameworks to identify potential legislative solutions that could effectively restrict exposure to gambling advertisements in Sweden. ## Market Scale and Industry The Swedish licensed gambling market generated a substantial turnover of 28.2 billion kronor during 2025, according to the Public Health Agency. Despite these high revenues, the industry organization SPER has expressed support for the government's investigation. They acknowledge the necessity of strengthening player protections, especially regarding the negative consequences for young individuals. ## School-Level Preventive Efforts Umeå Elitidrottsgymnasium actively attempts to implement preventive measures for both students and their parents. However, Ragnvaldsson describes this as a challenging task when competing against powerful commercial interests. The school continues to navigate these difficulties while advocating for broader national policy changes to shield students from predatory marketing practices and addiction. ## Support Resources Available For those currently struggling with gambling addiction, the Stödlinjen service provides essential first-aid support. Individuals can contact them via telephone during specific weekday hours or utilize the chat function on their website. This resource remains a critical component of the broader public health strategy to address the ongoing gambling crisis in Sweden. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/vasterbotten/rektor-i-umea-kraver-stopp-for-spelreklam-riktad-mot-unga-blir-en-hets — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._