# SNSUS 2025 – Nordic Gambling Conference: Perspectives on Youth Gambling and Recovery Capital of Concerned Significant Others

> Young people do not necessarily perceive their gambling as problematic. Gambling can be a way to spend time in a group, strengthen the community, and belong to a peer group.

## About the Conference
In May 2025, I attended the SNSUS conference in Oslo. SNSUS (Stiftelsen Nordisk Samarbejde om Uproblematisk Spilbrug) organizes this event every two years, bringing together professionals working with gambling and digital gaming from across the Nordic countries. The theme of SNSUS 2025 was “The Emerging Gambling Generation: Is Prevention Keeping Up?”. 

The three-day event included keynote speeches, parallel sessions, workshops, and panel discussions involving researchers, peer experts, prevention and treatment professionals, and authorities. The aim was to increase understanding of the multifaceted nature of gambling harms and share up-to-date knowledge on prevention and treatment across different countries.

## Recovery Capital for Concerned Significant Others
At the conference, I presented on recovery capital among concerned significant others. I discussed factors that support individuals whose loved ones struggle with gambling problems and how services can strengthen these resources. 

The concept of recovery capital refers to the resources a person has available to promote and maintain their own recovery (White 2008). I shared practical examples from my work in low-threshold anonymous services, where identifying and strengthening individual resources is central. The presentation sparked a discussion regarding different models for supporting recovery and the variations in approaches between countries.

## Youth Gambling as a Social Phenomenon
One of the most notable presentations was the keynote by Helene Kirkeby, who introduced her research, “Gambling spaces: socially motivated gambling in Danish upper-secondary school.” 

Kirkeby’s research examined youth gambling as a social phenomenon, revealing that young people often gamble together in groups of friends as part of social interaction. Key findings include:
* Young people do not necessarily perceive their gambling as problematic, even with significant time or money spent.
* Gambling can be a way to spend time in a group, strengthen community, and belong to a peer group.
* Traditional views of gambling problems—which often involve solitary, hidden gambling—do not apply well to youth, who are often aware of and accept monetary losses.

## Implications for Finland
These findings are particularly relevant in Finland, where the gambling legislation is currently being reformed toward a licensing system. This transition may increase game offerings, intensify advertising, and potentially increase the social acceptance of gambling. 

As a student in the Master’s degree program for early support, I believe these findings highlight the need for early intervention in schools, youth work, and social and health services. Professionals must move beyond focusing solely on individual behavior and develop the sensitivity to recognize gambling-related dynamics within social contexts.

## Conclusion
While my presentation and Kirkeby’s research differed in focus, they shared a common core: social relationships can be both risk factors and resources. Understanding these phenomena requires a comprehensive approach that values context and experience. The conference provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on international practices and strengthen the prospect of early support in the field of gambling.

## References
* Kirkeby, J. 2024. Gambling spaces: socially motivated gambling in Danish upper-secondary school. International Gambling Studies, 1-14. [Link](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/14459795.2025.2467932?needAccess=true). Retrieved 3.6.2025.
* SNSUS. N.d. [Link](https://www.snsus.org/conference-archive/). Retrieved 1.6.2025.
* Valtioneuvosto, n.d. Rahapelijärjestelmä uudistetaan – Vedonlyönti- ja nettikasinopelien markkina avataan lisenssimallilla kilpailulle. [Link](https://valtioneuvosto.fi/-/1410869/rahapelijarjestelma-uudistetaan-vedonlyonti-ja-nettikasinopelien-markkina-avataan-lisenssimallilla-kilpailull). Retrieved 2.6.2025.
* White, W. L. 2008. Recovery capital: A primer for addictions professionals. Councelor 9 (5), 22-27. [Link](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e8cca3f54b123010e2d5787/t/602d03f55f9f9002e0c73686/1613562869199/Recovery+Capital+-+A+Primer+for+Professio als+%28White+and+Cloud%2C+2008%29.pdf). Retrieved 1.6.2025.