The Church of Romania was present at a recently organized roundtable to discuss the national strategy for prevention and the treatment of gambling addiction in the country.
It was on Tuesday (June 10) when a number of religious members joined, as they sat alongside ministers, parliamentarians, representatives of central and local public authorities, experts, and people in the gambling industry and non-governmental organizations.
According to a Facebook post, from the official page of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Maramureș and Sătmar, the focus was largely on the priorities and responsibilities in the prevention of gambling addiction in Romania.
The aim was to obtain the support of all involved to “effectively manage the funds accumulated from the contributions of licensed operators and to implement real and sustainable prevention and treatment measures of the addiction to gambling.”
What is the gambling situation in Romania?
The governance of gambling in the country has been a hot topic over the last year, with a draft bill having been created just a couple of months ago which proposes that Romanians will be banned from spending more than 10% of their previous monthly income on gambling and betting.
The Facebook post, detailing the events of the roundtable, explained how a strategic document will speak on the topic, with a number of main action pillars listed including the contribution and support of addiction treatment centers, with infrastructure and specialized staff.
Another point was the direct support for people who are affected, as well as the creation of a National Register of Self-Exclusion and line for assistance. Other aspects are to focus on the protection of vulnerable groups and minors through prevention programs, while reducing the risk of addiction through educational campaigns and public information.
This comes after the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) called on Romanian authorities last month to introduce a national self-exclusion register. The EGBA Secretary General Maarten Haijer said that this system is a “crucial player protection measure.”
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