Helpline for people with gambling problems changes hands

In 2011, the Gambling Addiction Helpline opened its phone lines for the first time to people experiencing problems with gambling addiction, as well as their relatives. Since then, more than 3,000 people have called seeking advice and help.

However, 2 January marks a major change. From the New Year, it will no longer be advisers from Danske Spil in Brøndby who answer the phone. Instead, employees at the Danish Gambling Authority will take the calls on the same familiar phone number. This is part of the new political agreement on responsible gambling, which was adopted by a broad majority in the Danish Parliament this summer.

“We have been proud to host the Gambling Addiction Helpline and to help people experiencing gambling-related problems. We have gladly taken on that responsibility. But now it is extremely positive that a state-run helpline is being established—one that is shared by everyone and supported by the entire industry. We are pleased that the Danish Gambling Authority will take on this task on behalf of the whole sector, and of course we are ready to pass on our experience and contribute with all the help we can,” says Susanne Mørch Koch, CEO of Danske Spil A/S.

The purpose of the Gambling Addiction Helpline has been to provide players and relatives with advice and guidance on gambling-related problems and, when necessary, refer them to treatment for gambling addiction at the state-funded treatment centres in Denmark. The helpline has been operated and financed by Danske Spil, which in 2018 received more than 700 calls.

The political agreement includes, among other things, that the Danish Gambling Authority, on behalf of the state, must establish and operate a gambling addiction hotline, which all gambling operators must help fund and support. This is the helpline that will come into force on 2 January.

At the Danish Gambling Authority, they look forward to opening the new helpline for calls after the New Year:

“At the Danish Gambling Authority, we have worked purposefully to ensure the best possible establishment of the new hotline ‘StopSpillet’. In this connection, we would like to thank Danske Spil for an extremely positive and constructive collaboration. Danske Spil has many years of experience operating the Gambling Addiction Helpline, and we are grateful to have gained insight into their experience. It has been very valuable for us and for the employees who will now be answering the phones to gain access to Danske Spil’s guidelines, instructions, and good advice,” says Birgitte Sand, Director of the Danish Gambling Authority.

The new helpline has been named StopSpillet