In September 2022, the nonprofit Spelberoendegruppen started up in Ängelholm.
- We are needed here.
There are many people who suffer from gambling addiction in Ängelholm, says Erika Kannenberg, who coordinates the group.
According to Erika Kannenberg, almost everyone she meets who is addicted to gambling has large debts and problems with finances.
- It won't get better when everything becomes more expensive now.
They live on the same minimum anyway, and therefore there are great risks of them playing more, or of having a relapse.
Researcher: A major risk factor
Anders Håkansson is a professor at Lund University and has researched the field of gambling addiction.
- A poorer economy is a major risk factor when it comes to gambling addiction.
There are more people who start gambling and more of those who are already addicted maintain their behavior, he says.
According to the latest public health statistics from Region Scania, six percent of the men in Ängelholm have risky gambling habits, which is just above the average for Scania.
- Everyone is welcome to us.
Here you can talk to like-minded people, get support and talk without being judged for your gambling, says Erika Kannenberg.