Group warns of gambling addiction in Switzerland

As is the case with some addictive drugs, a dependence on gambling can lead to serious debt, bankruptcy and the break-down of families and relationships.

Experts have long recognized that compulsive gamblers are unable to control their urge to place bets at casino tables or buy lottery tickets and invariably pledge more and more money, often neglecting other responsibilities such as their job.

To raise awareness about this problem, the Swiss institute for the prevention of alcoholism and other addictions (ISPA) has printed a four-page pamphlet in French about obsessive gambling, outlining its psychological and physical consequences as well as providing information on national laws about placing bets.

The document is available for free online and in addiction help centres throughout Western Switzerland. On the institute’s website a link provides a list of centres and helplines, include some where English is spoken.

Recent surveys suggest that numbers of addicts have remained generally stable in recent years. Nonetheless, between 80,000 and 120,000 individuals were recorded in 2009, 80 per cent of whom are men, according to ISPA, which warned that only two per cent seek professional help.

“Many gamblers hide the problem to their entourage,” ISPA spokeswoman, Corine Kibora told Swisster. “A spiral of lies ensues but although very difficult to talk about the problem, it is important not to remain alone in this situation,” she said.

A national study earlier this year, conducted by ISPA and other medical institutions, also found that almost one in two people are unaware that others suffer the affliction.

Kibora is not surprised. “We know that a lot of people gamble and that many don’t have problems of addiction, so they don’t realise.”

One in five know an addict and for families and friends who discover their loved one’s compulsion, Kibora explained it is important to face the person but “without judging them”.

Casinos are required by law to look out for tell-tale signs of addiction and monitor customers to ensure they have enough money. Currently 23,000 users are blacklisted from such establishments in Switzerland.

Ninteeen casinos are currently operating in Switzerland, after a popular vote in 1993 overturned a national law restricting their existence. The 1928 law only permitted a maximum bet of five francs.

Today casinos fall into two categories. Some, such as Montreux, Lucerne, Lugano, and Saint Gallen can allow unlimited bets (category A).

Others, including Meyrin (Geneva), Crans-Montana  and Locarno (category B) are required to enforce a maximum restriction of 3,600 francs on a Roulette table if the bet is placed on colours or odd and even choices.

For a placement on a single number the maximum bet is 200 francs (which at 35-1 would grant a payout of 7,000 francs).

The most popular forms of gambling in this country are Blackjack and Roulette, lottery tickets, scratch cards, and slot machines. According to ISPA, the speed at which it is possible to win leads to addiction.

Online gambling websites are illegal in this country, “but this does not stop gambling on other country’s sites”, said Kibora.

In 2008, betting in casinos generated 992 million Swiss francs, comprising 796 million from betting tables and 196 million from slot machines. The same year these betting establishments paid 517 million in taxes on their earnings.

However, ISPA estimates that addictive gambling costs society 70 million in lost earnings due to the victims’ reduced ability to work, the cost of petty crimes to generate more cash, and occasional divorce costs incurred.

As with most addictions, treatment depends on the sufferer. Therapy sessions exist, which function along the same lines as Alcoholics Annonymous.

Kibora suggested a specialist Swiss website offers help via questionnaires while a therapist assesses a patient once a week, but more could be done - newsagents could by obliged to hand out information about gambling addiction when selling lottery tickets, she said.

From the list of help centres in Western Switzerland, assistance in English is available at the following locations:

Fondation Phénix, Geneva

MD Consultation, Geneva

HUG, Geneva