On June 15, 2022, the Responsible Gaming Foundation conducted its first training for the year, aimed at professionals involved in the casino industry. The topic was “Raising the awareness and skills of employees of gambling halls and casinos to ensure safe play.” The training was conducted by specialists at the Kanchelov Clinic and was aimed at teams in companies that are licensed under the Gambling Law and organize games both online and in traditional gambling halls and casinos. Psychologists conducted the event in two parts: a theoretical part with presentations, during which in continuous interaction with the participants various issues of responsible behavior in games through bets were discussed and also practical assignments on various cases in small groups for more effective assimilation. The training was conducted by specialists at the Kanchelov Clinic and was aimed at teams in companies that are licensed under the Gambling Law and organize games both online and in traditional gambling halls and casinos. Psychologists conducted the event in two parts: a theoretical part with presentations, during which in continuous interaction with the participants various issues of responsible behavior in betting games were discussed and also practical part with assignments on various cases in small groups for more effective assimilation. The solutions to the cases discussed by the groups received feedback from psychologists in order to improve the skills in working with people and were identified by the participants as extremely useful. The topic of gambling addiction is often overlooked, but it is important for employees in the industry and therefore all necessary actions are taken to reach a wide range of industry professionals and consumers. “There is not much talk about this issue, because those affected are trying to hide the problem or deal with it themselves, which in most cases is not productive,” said Milena Tsankarska, executive director of the Responsible Gaming Foundation. She specified that the saturated advertising messages, which appear on all communication channels, increase the need for training for adequate behavior of the teams that work directly with the end customers of the sector. “Among the goals of the Foundation is to inform the public, to point out to vulnerable people the ways, methods, channels through which they could receive professional help. Fortunately, the percentage of people who tend to develop gambling addiction is not high, but it exists anyway,” added Milena Tsankarska. She clarified that the topic is live and present and there is a lack of sufficient information, as well as purposeful work on it, which explains the great interest in the first training this year. “We are preparing the next course in September,” said Milena Tsankarska.
