Germany Launches Gambling Awareness Day
Germany’s Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) is planning to increase awareness about gambling addiction by holding an awareness day that focuses on it.
“Aktionstag Glücksspielsucht” which stands for gambling addiction awareness will take place every year on the final Wednesday of September. The goal is to give players information on how to know whether they are addicted and what they can do about it. Though Germany’s efforts are mainly focused on land-based slots, it also covers various forms of gambling.
The campaign has the slogan of “Don’t play until you’re addicted” and is being supported with the launch of a new website that will provide information on gambling addiction. Besides publishing important information, the website will have a self-test so that site visitors will have an idea about their risk profile when it comes to gambling addiction. If a visitor finds themselves classed as at risk or already addicted, the site will give them advice on what to do.
Dr. Heidrun Thaiss, the chief of the BzgA, said It is important to inform people and make them aware of the addictive native of gambling before they develop problems. This is why the BZgA is offering online and offline information and counseling services, in several languages, for gamblers and their relatives.
Besides the website, there will be a major leaflet distribution campaign all over Germany. The leaflets will have information on gambling addiction awareness available in different languages.