Approximately 1.3 million adults Germany A further 3.3 million people suffer from a gambling disorder and are showing early symptoms of gambling addiction, according to a new report released Monday by Burkhard Breenert, the country’s federal drug commissioner.
According to the Gambling Atlas, which is based on data compiled in 2021, 30% of adults in Germany gamble. Although this figure is down from the 55% calculated in 2007, the report still found that 7.7% of adults have financial, social or health problems related to addition. I found out that
“Gambling rarely makes its participants happy,” Commissioner Breinert said in a report released in Berlin on Monday.
“Gambling is a disease,” added Christina Rummel of the German Center for Addiction Problems (DHS).
Young people and immigrants most at risk
The report, published jointly by the Interdisciplinary Institute for Addiction and Drug Research in Hamburg, the German Center for Addiction Problems in Hamburg and the Gambling Research Department at the University of Bremen, provides an overview of the current state of gambling in Germany.
The report identified men and young adults aged 21 to 35 as particularly vulnerable to gambling problems, as well as those with mental disorders or high levels of alcohol consumption.
The report defines gambling addiction as “excessive and destructive participation” in gambling, during which the gambler loses control, bets more and more money, and tells lies to hide his addiction. They become isolated from their social circles.
According to the report, people with immigrant backgrounds are also particularly at risk, with gambling expert Tobias Heyer telling Germany’s Catholic News Agency (KNA) that gambling can lead to people suffering from trauma or being excluded from society. He said that it can be a means of self-medication for immigrants who are suffering from poverty. Separated from society and suffering financially.
of The coronavirus pandemic has also become a breeding ground for gambling addiction. This is because vulnerable people find themselves isolated and under financial pressure.
live sports betting
The report identifies the growth of live sports betting as a key area where gambling addiction occurs, along with traditional slot machines in gaming halls and arcades.
Soccer is particularly problematic, as DW reported in 2022one of the betting companies, BWIN, enjoys an official partnership with the German Football Association (DFB) and several clubs. borussia dortmundUnion Berlin, Cologne, St. Pauli and Dynamo Dresden.
former Bayern Munich Goalkeeper, captain and CEO Oliver Kahn was the public face of betting company Tipico for eight years, from 2012 to 2020, and was the public face of the betting company Tipico, which allowed him to broadcast live football in Germany without touching any betting ads. It’s almost impossible to watch.
“When you call, Bundesliga As soon as you check your results on your smartphone, you will be faced with offers from sports betting companies,” said Drug Commissioner Breenat, warning of the danger of trivializing gambling by associating it with live sports. He called for stricter regulations.
“If young people are tempted to gamble through seemingly harmless games, something is wrong,” he said, calling for a ban on gambling advertising on television before 11pm.
However, Germany’s gambling industry posted a record total revenue of 13.4 billion euros ($14.3 billion) last year, and the German state collected 5.2 billion euros in taxes from legal gambling in 2021 alone (alcohol’s 2 billion euros). (more than twice as many), so the industry has a powerful influence. lobby.
MF/LO (SID, KNA, DPA)
While you’re here: Every Tuesday, DW editors round up what’s happening in German politics and society. You can sign up for his weekly email newsletter “Berlin His Briefing” here.
