Proposed structure of the EUROMAT response to the ... - Jogo Remoto

European Gaming and Amusement Federation
Europäische Verband der Unterhaltungsautomatenwirtschaft
Fédération Européenne des Jeux et d'Amusement
based sector, most measures having been originated by the private sector itself, but there is also a
wealth of action taken by the sector itself to protect its customers. By way of example, we refer to
the following:
In Germany, at the beginning of 2011 the Caritasverband für das Erzbistum Berlin e.V. signed an
agreement with the German federations of the gaming and amusement industry, whereby skilled
staff from the former is training the employees of the operating companies to identify and help
problem and pathological gamblers. The cooperation includes the training of about 1.000 persons
per year and runs for three years with the possibility for two more years.
In Germany, in addition to the measures described in the EUROMAT’s Responsible Gambling
Brochure, at the beginning of 2011 the Caritasverband für das Erzbistum Berlin e.V. signed an
agreement with the German federations of the gaming and amusement industry, whereby skilled
staff from the former is training the employees of the operating companies to identify and help
problem and pathological gamblers. The cooperation includes the training of about 1.400 attendees
per year and runs for three years with the possibility for two more years.
In Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Gaming Association (BTAMOGI) launched a long-term nationwide program
"Play Wisely" amongst its member operators and other national operators for early detection and
prevention of problem gambling. It promotes responsible gambling through different seminars, and
meetings with industry representatives, leaflets and stickers on each gaming machine, educating of
the personnel, organizing social and therapy programs together with special psychological clinics in
Bulgaria. The law itself prohibits gaming locations within 300 meters of schools and educational
institutions. There is a strict prohibition for allowing people under 18 to enter gaming premises.
In the Netherlands, employees of arcades are well trained in recognizing problem gambling
behaviour. Once observed/identified, these employees talk to the player, provide him with
information concerning treatment and discuss a self exclusion. Besides, brochures in different
languages are available and displayed, amongst others containing a self test, treatment possibilities
etc. The staff of single site venues (pubs and bars) is also trained in recognizing problem gambling.
This training is a mandatory part of their license to run a pub or bar. All Dutch providers of games of
chance (Lotteries, Sports betting, Casino’s, arcades etc) apply a Code of conduct with respect to
advertisements for games of chance.
In Austria, responsible gambling has been actively promoted by the industry in Austria for more
than 25 years, not only with limited stakes and prices and minimum payouts, but also with strict age
limits, restrictions on gambling locations and appropriate stickers on gambling machines with
warnings and telephone numbers of different helplines. These helplines are sponsored by the
operators and the industry. In one county there are also entry controls with a member’s card
required for arcades with AWPs.
In Belgium, the objective of the policy pursued by the authorities is to limit gaming opportunities
and to protect the player. It is prohibited for any operator to allow players any form of loan or
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