Denmarks StopSpillet gambling helpline has received almost 3,000 calls since its inception in 2019.
StopSpillet, a specialized gambling helpline managed by the Danish regulatory body Spillemyndigheden, officially commenced operations on January 1, 2019, with the aim of providing counsel and direction to Danes concerned about their gambling habits.
A recent report indicates that since StopSpillet opened, it has received 2,933 calls for guidance. Data suggests that a substantial portion of callers have a difficulty with gambling. Over 1,650 calls, or 56% of the total, were made by gamblers themselves.
Furthermore, 1,150 calls, or 40% of the total, originated from relatives of gamblers. Of these calls, approximately half were from parents contacting StopSpillet. Meanwhile, 4% of calls came from professionals.
Concerning the ongoing development of StopSpillet, the report states: “The Gambling Authority is continuously striving to increase awareness of StopSpillet, for instance by conducting advertising campaigns.
“When gamblers, relatives or professionals contact the helpline, trained advisors answer the phone. Advisors are constantly working to enhance their knowledge and abilities.”
Digital gaming reigns supreme in calls to StopSpillet.
When individuals reach out to StopSpillet, the helpline inquires about the kind of wagering they engage in to pinpoint the root of their issue.
StopSpillet discloses that a significant majority, 67%, of calls are linked to virtual casinos and online wagering. Traditional betting and physical slot machines make up 20%, while callers also mention poker and land-based casino betting.
When individuals contact StopSpillet, they can also undergo an evaluation that assists them in identifying whether they have a problematic relationship with gambling.
StopSpillet reveals that, on average, callers achieve a score of 5.94 on a scale ranging from 0 to 9, with a score of 4 or higher indicating that the individual has a gambling problem.
Prior StopSpillet data brought to light the issue of youthful gambling in Denmark.
This fresh StopSpillet report follows data from May 2023, when Spillemyndigheden discovered that a substantial majority, 88%, of helpline callers placed their initial wager at the age of 25 or younger.
Despite the legal gambling age in Denmark being 18, a significant portion, 50%, of callers placed their first bet before the age of 17.
Research unveiled in November revealed that a small percentage, 4%, of StopSpillet calls originated from players under the age of 18.
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