{"id":25746,"date":"2024-11-04T22:11:13","date_gmt":"2024-11-04T21:11:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/8b59cb99d94061e91f30334567d60256\/?p=25746"},"modified":"2024-11-04T22:13:21","modified_gmt":"2024-11-04T21:13:21","slug":"positive-effects-as-the-partnership-with-spelfriheten-is-evaluated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/svenskelitfotboll.se\/en\/positive-effects-as-the-partnership-with-spelfriheten-is-evaluated\/","title":{"rendered":"Positive Effects as the Partnership with Spelfriheten is Evaluated"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In May 2023, Swedish Professional Football Leagues, Unibet, and Spelfriheten launched a joint agreement aimed at addressing gambling-related issues among players and team staff, both proactively and reactively, for those needing assistance. Around one and a half years into the collaboration, the parties observe many positive outcomes.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of now, representatives from all three parties have visited each club in the 2023 Allsvenskan and Superettan leagues in their home environments to engage with the organizations, players, and staff. The only remaining visits are to the 2024 newcomers IK Oddevold and Sandvikens IF. Feedback from clubs has been positive, with many reaching out afterward to ask questions about responsible gambling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese issues are important not just to us but to society as a whole. Our partnership with Unibet is grounded in a shared zero-tolerance policy toward unhealthy gambling. This means we need to educate our players and staff proactively while also providing support for those who need it. Through this initiative, we have increased awareness, ensuring that players and staff know where help is available and that they are using these support resources,\u201d says Anders Wikstr\u00f6m, Head of Integrity at Swedish Professional Football Leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Since the start of the agreement, over 600 players and staff in Allsvenskan and Superettan clubs have received training in responsible gambling, with some actively seeking help either to ask questions or to receive support with their gambling behavior through a dedicated support line. The initiative has attracted significant attention, leading to an invitation to the Swedish Parliament to discuss unhealthy gambling and the efforts being made to combat it. Additionally, Icelandic football has adopted this model, providing responsible gambling and anti-match-fixing training for players and staff in all clubs of Iceland\u2019s top leagues for both men and women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe partnership between us, Swedish Professional Football Leagues, and Unibet has been highly successful. We are especially pleased that we\u2019ve been able to help players feel comfortable seeking help, both for themselves and for teammates. We\u2019re even starting to see seeds of a cultural shift, with players recognizing unhealthy patterns and daring to speak up,\u201d says Allan Erdman, Communications Manager at Spelfriheten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gambling issues are now classified as a public health problem. A study commissioned by Swedish Professional Football Leagues from STAD\/KI indicates that elite athletes are at risk for problematic gambling. Researchers recommend measures primarily focused on education, clearer policies, and independent points of contact, which is why Swedish Professional Football Leagues and Unibet developed this training, now implemented in collaboration with Spelfriheten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are very proud of this joint effort, which we see having a real impact. The fact that Swedish Professional Football Leagues, Spelfriheten, and Unibet are working together, each contributing different expertise, creates a very strong program. Throughout our sponsorship, we have devoted significant resources to preventing gambling-related problems, and this is another major step that is truly making a difference\u2014notably in prevention, but also in providing players and staff a place to turn for expert help,\u201d says Anders Falk, Head of Unibet Sweden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Partnership: Swedish Professional Football Leagues, Unibet, and Spelfriheten<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n