German health body launches gambling-related harm awareness day
New site offers online self-assessment and counselling for problem gamblers
Germany’s Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) has launched the country’s first nationwide day of action on gambling addiction.
Taking place on 25 September, the event will target all forms of gambling, aiming to raising awareness of gambling-related harm by providing information and online resources for players.
As part of this campaign an online site (www.check-dein-spiel.de) has been set up, and features detailed information on different types of gambling, together with free-to-use self-assessment testing resources for German gamblers. A gambling knowledge online test is also included for players.
In addition, the site features written and online resources for relatives of those affected by gambling-related harm, including tips for dealing with a problem gambler, online advice, educational videos and a directory of gambling treatment service providers run by the BZgA.
Dr. Heidrun Thaiss, head of the BZgA, highlighted the differences in risk levels of each gambling form, particularly in games featuring fast gameplay and short winning intervals, which he claimed encourage players to spend more on gambling more frequently.
“Therefore, it is important to inform people in good time and to sensitize them to the addictions of gambling before a problematic behaviour develops. For this purpose, the BZgA offers online and offline and in several languages targeted information and counselling services that are aimed at gambling users and their relatives,” Thaiss added.
The site also features access to online and telephone counselling for players in both German and Turkish. Several multilingual leaflets and brochures have also been produced for distribution across Germany.
At present, sports betting remains the only form of online gambling which is legal in Germany, with new legislation currently in the works to establish a national licensing regime for sports betting.