Massive shortage of addiction counselling in Saxony, Saxony Anhalt und Thueringen
Central Germany has currently a massive shortage of counselling centres, addiction counsellors and therapy units for problematic gamblers. Despite the increase in legalisation and liberalisation of online gambling, in the past years there has been decreased spending for these types of services. This was reported by the MDR. There is stagnation in several places – there are hardly any real solution approaches.
In a recent report by the MDR, addiction experts have criticised the fact that there are large gaps when it comes to therapy services for gambling addicts and vulnerable persons in the regions of Saxony, Saxony Anhalt and Thueringen. Urgent action is required. In fact, in Saxony Anhalt, there is just one counselling centre in Magdeburg which focuses on gambling and otherwise there are no others in this region. According to the MDR, the persons affected must therefore opt for the services of other regions.
Authorities and research are aware of potential for expansion
In a statement, Helga Meeßen-Hühne, the manager of the Land Office for Drug Addictions in Saxony Anhalt described the facilities for drug addictions as “at the lower end in a national comparison”. In Saxony there are also those who speak officially about the need of expanding concrete assistance, employing extra staff and having better qualified employees.
In Thüringen the specialist department sees an increased need for the intensification of specific preventive efforts. Besides this, little research has been done – especially as regards the social effects brought about by the legalisation of the gambling market as per State Gambling Act, GlüStV 2021.
Money for counselling and prevention is there – however till now it has hardly been requested or even phased out
During its research the MDR also asked the Finance Ministry in Magdeburg about the means which are available to combat gambling problems in Saxony Anhalt. It is clear that the possibilities are hardly made use of, that is the funds are not exhausted. From the budgeted funds of 530,000 Euro only around 78,000 Euro were used in 2022. Since 2020, the level of expenditure has been quite low. It is not clear why the funds are not being requested.
In Saxony the funds for addiction counselling and prevention are stagnating. In all in 2023 around 8 million Euro were available for all measures of addiction help (not only in the field of gambling). MDR stated that in 2019 the budget was around 160,000 Euro higher.
In 2023 in Thüringen there were more funds for the organisation of addiction prevention. This surplus in 2023 however is only very low. In comparison to 2020, the year before the State Gambling Act, (GlüStV) was introduced and when the online games of chance were legalised, the budged was topped up by around 5000 Euro. The new state legislations were however mainly introduced to offer better player protection.
The New State Gambling Act 2021 (GlüStV)
The State Gambling Act 2021, GlüStV 2021, regulates games of chance in all 16 regions. It came into force on the 1st July 2021. Online slot machines and digital poker services were thus legalised under certain conditions. The document aims to counteract the black market more reliably and guarantee a safer youth and player protection. Meanwhile the GGL, (Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder) which is the gambling authority for all regions in Germany monitors the compliance of the regulations. The GGL took over the operations on the 1st of January 2023.
Conclusion
In Central Germany there seems to be a backlog as regards the fight against gambling addiction. Many factors do not fit in with the main aims of the GlüStV 2021. Those responsible for the report of the MDR stated in fact that there is a plan to expand the counselling services. In 2023 the State Coordination Office will be set up and there will be four other counselling centres which will focus on gambling addiction. The process has already been ongoing for a year and thus one doubts whether it will be implemented. It has not been stated why so much time is needed.
The following fact illustrated by MDR is very interesting: the GGL does not have a suitable budget for the prevention of gambling addiction and the necessary research about it. Upon request the GGL itself informed the station that as from 2023, there will be 500,000 Euro available for prevention of gambling addiction and another 500,000 for research, thus the total amount of 1 million Euro. This is not a low budget but in comparison to the tax income this is a joke. In 2022 the regions made more than 428 million Euro in taxes from online slot machines. It is questionable why so little of this money is channelled into something which is officially so highly esteemed, namely into combating gambling addiction.
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