Germany’s gambling regulator, Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder, has announced that the country’s free gambling addiction hotline of the Federal Center for Health Education – BZgA – has secured financing for the next few years.
The GGL declared that the main associations of the German gaming industry have jointly- backed the BZgA hotline with further funding. Covering a third of the funding will be the German lotto and totoblock DLTB and the German slot machine industry DAW.
In addition, financial support will also be provided by the country’s sports betting association DSWV, the online casino association DOCV, the federal association of private individuals casinos BupriS, the casino association DSbV and the lotto association DLV.
The GGL noted that the hotline’s financing is regularly renegotiated, but the regulator is committed to ensuring it is permanently secured.
“Free telephone advice on gambling addiction is an important offer for those affected,” commented GGL board member Benjamin Schwanke.
“The online gambling market in Germany is growing and with it the importance of prevention work. In this respect, we are very pleased about the industry’s willingness to contribute its part to prevention work through financing.”
Serving as a first point of contact for those suffering from gambling problems, the free telephone hotline offers confidential information and education about gambling addiction, existing local support information and specific advice on personal problems and life difficulties that have resulted from gambling addiction or problematic gambling behaviour.
Open to players, relatives and interested parties, the free service is available at 0800 137 2700 from Monday to Thursday from 10am to 10pm, and Friday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
