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
In Denmark, there are 4-5 treatment centres, none of which are officially recognised or owned by
the state. They are, however, recognised in the sense that the public health system refers patients
there for treatment. They are funded by the 1% of turnover given by the industry.
In Germany, there are many authorities, organisations, associations, clubs and clinics devoted to
dealing with pathological gambling and pathological gamblers mostly founded by the church, social
services and the state. With few exceptions, all bodies are involved in out-patient counselling and
treatment, inpatient provision and self-help are represented in the “Deutsche Hauptstelle für
Suchtfragen e.V.” (The German Centre for Addiction Issues).
In Great Britain, the GREaT Foundation is an independent charity set up by the gambling industry
and funded through donations from the gambling industry to carry out treatment, research and
education.
In Hungary, several organisations, including EUROMAT member the Hungarian Gaming Association,
provide treatment services on an anonymous basis. There are no legal internet gaming organisers,
therefore the online sector does not contribute to the costs.
In Ireland, some voluntary organisations/charities (e.g. Gamblers Anonymous Ireland or the Rutland
Centre) are devoted to the prevention of problem gambling and the treatment of gambling
addiction but most are without state assistance.
In Italy, there are several organisations dealing with problem gambling, such as Societa Italiana di
Intervento sulle Patologie Compulsive, ALEA - Associazione per lo studio del gioco d’azzardo e dei
comportamenti a rischio and Gamblers Anonymous Italy.
In Lithuania, the centres for addictive disorders of the biggest cities (Kaunas, Vilnius, Klaip da Panev
zys) provide consultations for pathological gamblers, although official statistics on level of demand
for these services are not available.
In the Netherlands treatment is available at national level. There is no information that (by
definition, illegal) on-line gambling operators contribute to the funding. Licensed off line operators
contribute to the funding of their preventive actions, not to the funding of treatment.
In Poland, the state-owned company has a monopoly on a number games charges 25% of fees on
each bet sold by each company. It donates 3% of the said amount to the foundation dealing with
education and prevention. There are officially recognised agencies, funded by the National Health
Service.
In Romania, there is no treatment for gambling addiction available at national level.
In Slovakia, there are several private and public help centres which deal with a variety of addiction
issues, pathological gambling being one of them.
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