The attraction of gambling can have unexpectedly dangerous consequences for some people when an initially harmless pastime turns into an addiction. In this article, we will take a closer look at when gambling can become an addiction, what help is available in Germany and how those affected can establish a gambling ban as a protective mechanism.
When Does Gambling Become an Addiction?
Gambling may seem like just an entertaining activity, but for some people, it can lead to serious addictive behavior. The signs of gambling addiction are varied:
- Loss of Control: despite deciding not to play anymore, affected individuals cannot stop gambling.
- Increasing Bets: a worrying sign is the increased tolerance to place higher bets.
- Negative Impact on Life: gambling addiction can severely affect interpersonal relationships, professional success, and financial stability.
- Secretive Gambling Behavior: affected individuals try to hide their gambling from family and friends.
- Withdrawal Symptoms: the occurrence of restlessness and irritability when stopping gambling are classic signs of withdrawal.
Test your gambling behavior at www.check-dein-spiel.de, a site from the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA).
Support for Gambling Addiction in Germany
Gambling may seem like just an entertaining activity, but for some people, it can lead to serious addictive behavior. The signs of gambling addiction are varied:
In Germany, people struggling with gambling addiction can access help through the following contact points:
Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) The BZgA offers support and counseling via their free service hotline:
Phone: 0800 13 72 70 0
Regional Addiction Hotlines:
Munich: 089 28 28 22
Berlin: 030 19 23 7
Frankfurt am Main: 069 62 34 51
Essen: 0201 40 38 40
State Office for Gambling Addiction in Bavaria:
Phone: 0800 137 27 00
Specialist Association for Gambling Addiction:
Phone: 0800 07 76 61 1
Setting up a Gambling Ban
To protect against the effects of gambling addiction, setting up a gambling ban is an effective step. Especially within the framework of the current Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021), you have the option to block yourself nationwide and for all types of gambling. The state player blocking system OASIS enables this ban, which also applies to all online gambling and slot games licensed in Germany. Gambling operators are legally obliged to deny access to persons with active gambling bans. It is important to note that unlicensed gambling offers are not part of this blocking system. Therefore, you can recognize trustworthy gambling providers, among other things, by the fact that a query of your player status is conducted.
Further information on setting up a self- or third-party ban can be found on the official website of the Darmstadt Regional Council.