Iceland has a gambling problem, and the known facts may be just the tip of the iceberg. The country estimates that at least 1% of its population is severely addicted to some form of gambling activity.
Gambling Addiction Spreads in Iceland
Another 2% to 3% are dealing with various degrees of problem gambling, but in nearly all cases, the spike in reckless gambling behavior can be traced back to a common denominator – playing online.
According to data from the Icelandic Gaming Association, nine out of 10 individuals say that their gambling issues compounded or began when they started gambling online, leading to a sharp increase in the money they were spending and an inability to control impulsivity.
Lack of adequate enforcement action is also an issue. While Iceland outlawed gambling back in 2005, most overseas operators have set up shop in the country and advertise their products freely, with no specific body charged with enforcing the original law and ousting illegal operators.
“In 2023, we can say that between four and seven thousand Icelanders have had a serious problem due to their participation in gambling,” professor Daníel Þór Ólason, who teaches at the University of Iceland, told RÚV, the national broadcaster.
Academic Calls for New Regulation Addressing the Issue
However, the issue is not just with the omnipresence of online gambling websites, but also with the lack of an adequate response by the country. According to professor Þór Ólason, there is a lack of enough treatment options, and the level of treatment options can be improved as well.
“There has been no prevention position within the Directorate of Health that has any specialization in this field, which is a great shame. Treatment needs to be strengthened. SÁÁ has done well to expand its services, but more is needed,” he explained.
To help address this, professor Þór Ólason believes that the government ought to step in and create a new gambling framework that puts a strong emphasis on protecting vulnerable consumers.