Germany launches annual gambling awareness day

With the aim of educating German gamblers about the importance of responsible gambling, Germany’s Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) is due to host a day dedicated to raising awareness of problem gambling.

The awareness day, entitled Aktionstag Glücksspielsucht 2019, will offer players additional information regarding the various forms of gambling available across Germany, in addition to a self-test feature. 

Should a player be tested as addicted or at risk of problem gambling behaviours, they will be advised on measures they can take to change their behaviour.

“[It] is important to inform people and make them aware of the addictive native of gambling before they develop problems,” BZgA chief Dr Heidrun Thaiss said. “This is why the BZgA is offering online and offline information and counselling services, in several languages, for gamblers and their relatives.”

The BZgA will promote the slogan “Don’t play until you’re addicted” (“Spiel nicht bis zur Glücksspielsucht”) and will be accompanied by the launch of a new web portal, Check-dein-Spiel.de (Check your play).

The public will also receive leaflets in a number of different languages explaining the awareness campaign.

“Frequent repeated gambling can be a sign of addiction risk,” Thaiss explained. “Not everyone is aware of this, especially as there are different risks associated with each form of gambling.

“Products offering fast gameplay and short intervals between payouts tend to lead to players gambling more often and spending more money than intended.”