- Summits
- News
- Foundation
- Training & Advisory
- Poker Tour
- SiGMA Play
- SiGMA Play
- SiGMA Play
- Affiliate Market
- About
Council of Europe aims to protect youths from gambling
The Council of Europe has raised concerns over how gambling is affecting the mental health and well-being of young individuals. They have launched a new project aimed at curbing the negative impact of gambling on youths, hoping to implement preventive measures.
Orsolya Kiraly, a researcher at the Institute of Psychology in Budapest, has been studying the impact of gambling on young people. The researcher found that only a minority of adolescents experience addiction-like symptoms.
However, this does not compare to the negative consequences and functional impairment the youth is susceptible to while engaging with gambling products due to their young age.
The Council of Europe has been gathering insights on how the gambling industry functions. According to the council’s Pompidou Group, gambling policies are crafted to be as enticing as possible, pulling new players in. The group was originally set up to create and implement anti-drug and addiction policy,
Researcher Kiraly highlighted that there are mental as well as health concerns that need to be addressed due to the adverse impact of gambling on young minds.
According to Kiraly, 16.3 percent of adolescents who gamble on sports are at risk of developing a gambling disorder. The statistics are even more troubling for those who gamble online, with the risk jumping to 26.4 percent.
Concerns on loot boxes
Kiraly brought a particularly concerning aspect of online gambling to the fore, which is the presence of loot boxes. These digital containers offer players random rewards in exchange for a fee and are typically found in video games.
While loot boxes can seem harmless, their randomised nature makes them very similar to gambling, making it dangerous for young people. Countries like Belgium and the Netherlands have already banned loot boxes, but the United Kingdom has not yet regulated them as gambling products, despite growing concerns.
Last month, a new study by the BBC found many popular mobile games in the United Kingdom (UK) do not comply with rules set by the UK Advertising Standards Authority that require informing players about loot boxes in their ads.
The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) requires game makers to mention loot boxes in ads. However, the study finds only two of the top 45 games on Google Play inform their players about loot boxes.
To combat the rising threat of gambling addiction among youth, the Council of Europe has initiated the project. This project, backed by the Pompidou Group, aims to create policies that specifically target the needs of young people and work to protect them from the negative impact of gambling.
Looking for regulated excitement? Whether you’re chasing high-stakes action, instant payouts, or unbeatable bonuses, SiGMA Play connects you to the best sports betting sites. Your journey to the ultimate gaming experience begins now!
Tags:
