Latest news and stories about addiction in Portugal for expats and residents.
The stories of pathological gamblers are usually very similar. But there is a lesser-known factor in this journey: the role of betting companies in the loss of control.
Gambling addiction is a devastating issue that ruins individuals and their families. The rise of online gambling has made this problem more pervasive, as it is now accessible 24/7 via mobile devices. With 1.3% of the Portuguese population at risk and 0.6% showing signs of addiction, it has become a significant public health crisis. The author argues that, similar to the regulation of tobacco and alcohol, there is an urgent need to restrict gambling advertising, which is currently omnipresent in public spaces and media. While the opening of a dedicated treatment centre is a positive step, the author calls on Parliament to implement stricter regulations to prevent further lives from being destroyed by gambling.
447 people were being treated for gambling addiction in February, a figure higher than the total for the entire previous year.
Gambling to alleviate negative emotions is an addictive behaviour that causes anxiety, exhaustion, depression... and debt. The ease of online gambling has further accentuated this problem.
In Portugal, 4.9 million people are active in online gambling and betting. For some, it becomes an addiction that brings debt and lies: “I thank God for having hit rock bottom.”
The expansion of gambling and the rise in addiction driven by the powerful Internet are creating new challenges for casinos.
