The initiative seeks to reduce addiction risks and enhance the protection of young people in the digital realm.
France.- The Council of Europe, through its cooperation platform on drugs and addictions, the Pompidou Group, has officially launched an ambitious project aimed at protecting the mental health of children and youth against the risks posed by online gambling and betting. This effort is supported by the European Union (EU) and will be implemented in nine countries: Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Poland, Portugal, and Slovenia.
The project, co-funded by the EU through its Technical Support Instrument, was presented during a conference held in Rome on January 28 and 29, organized by the Italian Presidency of the Pompidou Group. At this event, Dr. Orsolya Király, a researcher from Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, highlighted that the negative effects of gambling can extend beyond the affected individual, harming families and communities. She emphasized that game developers profit from problem gamers and advocated for a principle of “safety by design” in game creation, which would imply that companies take greater responsibility in protecting users.
In this context, the Director for Reform Support at the European Commission, Nathalie Berger, noted that this project aligns with the EU's priorities in key areas such as mental health, youth, and digital policies. She assured that, by working together, European countries can develop a comprehensive approach to protect young people from the risks of online gambling.
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Studies reveal that excessive use of gambling and betting is more frequent among European youth, especially among boys compared to girls. These behaviors are linked to mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and stress, in addition to negative academic consequences. The recent inclusion of gambling disorders in the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases underscores the growing concern about these public health risks.
