A survey in Sweden suggests that the country’s population is overestimating rates of problem gambling.

A poll conducted by BOS in partnership with Novus Market Research – as reported by the European Gaming and Betting Association – asked 1,054 Swedish adults about their perceptions of the gambling market.

The survey said that 23 per cent of the Swedish population suffers from gambling problems, with the real figure reported to be at around one per cent.

Participants believe that gambling companies have a return-to-player rate of around 21 per cent, with the figure up near 95 per cent.

Gustaf Hoffstedt, secretary general of the BOS, said: “This report shows a huge knowledge gap and it’s clear that we need to work harder to spread the true picture of the gambling industry.

“It is no wonder that many demand even tighter regulation of the gambling industry when the general opinion is that almost every fourth Swede suffers from a gambling addiction, when the real figure is one in one hundred.”