Support and Prevention System: Helpline Available for Pathological Gamblers

SARAJEVO, (Patria) – The first Expert Meeting on behavioral addictions "Establishment and strengthening of the support system for persons who gamble uncontrollably" was held today in Sarajevo, organized by the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation of the University of Tuzla - Department of Behavioral Disorders, under the patronage of the Lottery of Bosnia and Herzegovina and with the support of the Federal Ministry of Health. 

Head of the department at this faculty, Meliha Bijedić, said that over the past year, in cooperation with the Lottery of BiH, they conducted research, and after obtaining the results, they activated a free Helpline (Help line 080 02 03 08) for people who have a problem with pathological gambling. Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing an increased number of gambling addicts.

Bijedić pointed out that until now, no similar activities aimed at preventing gambling addiction have been organized.

- We determined that we do not have a support treatment system for people who have problems with pathological gambling in the territory of the Federation of BiH - said Bijedić.

The goal of the expert meeting was to analyze the current situation and work on establishing a support system and preventive program. The meeting was also attended by experts from the Club of Treated Gambling Addicts (KLOK) from Mostar, as well as employees of the Institute for Addiction Diseases from Sarajevo, where there is a treatment program for gambling and pathological gambling addicts.

The meeting was also supported by the Federal Ministry of Health. Assistant to the Federal Minister of Health, Goran Čerkez, stated that the data available to experts is alarming.

- We are aware of the increasing participation of BiH citizens in gambling and games of chance. This pushes us towards preventive activities, to think about all social measures, policies and legislation, to do significantly more, especially regarding the younger population, because gambling is also a diagnostic disorder. It significantly affects both the family and society. Today's meeting is the beginning of some social action - emphasized Čerkez. 

Nedim Hamzić, Head of the Public Relations and Standardization Department of the Lottery of BiH, says that this company has fully implemented the standard of socially responsible organizing of games of chance.

-Although BiH is not an EU member state, the Lottery of BiH has fully introduced the standard in responsible gambling used by other EU members. We have also fully developed a support system for those who need this type of help, that is, in cooperation with the University of Tuzla, we introduced a helpline, a line that actively provides support to those in need – stated Hamzić.

From the Lottery of BiH, they announced the holding of expert meetings to raise awareness about socially responsible gambling, but also about the problems faced by pathological gamblers.