StopSpillet received 722 calls during 2019

Danish regulator Spillemyndigheden has released figures from the first year of its StopSpillet initiative, which revealed that the helpline had received 722 calls since last year.

According to the regulator, the number of calls are ‘more than expected’ and confirms ‘that there is a great need for a national helpline providing advice and counselling about responsible gambling.’

“We can see that most of the players who call fall in the categories of problem and compulsive gamblers. In other words, we get through to those who need us and are able to help many of those who have ended up in an unhappy situation because of gambling,” said Director of the Gaming Authority Birgitte Sand.

Head of Division at StopSpillet, Linda Lomborg, added: “Compared to other types of addiction, compulsive gambling is not immediately visible and may be hidden for a long time to the outside world. This emphasises the need for a helpline such as StopSpillet, offering confidential conversations about a problem that can be associated with a lot of guilt and shame.”

Since December 2019, StopSpillet has been trialling a live chat function which allows gamblers to reach out to the helpline online. The trial period is due to conclude in March.