Gambling Addiction Help Map: Services Available in 18 of Latvia's 35 Municipalities
The Latvian Licensed Gambling Association has launched an online map of 60 support points for preventing and treating gambling addiction and for social rehabilitation. It shows that services exist in only 18 of the country's 35 municipalities.
The Latvian Licensed Gambling Association (LLAB), an industry body, has created a resource map of help for gambling addiction prevention, treatment and social rehabilitation across Latvia. It did so together with Madara Lapsa, chair of the board of the "Marta" centre's Liepāja foundation. The map, available at "iepauze.lv", shows that support is unevenly spread: services are available in only 18 of the country's 35 municipalities.
What the map shows
The map lists 60 support points. More than a third of them, 22, are in Riga. Four of the resources specialise specifically in gambling addiction, while the rest also help people with other addictions.
Users can find helpline numbers, self-help groups, social worker support points, medical institutions and psychologists who offer consultations, as well as other support resources.
Lack of information
Lapsa says that last year, while preparing a report on the availability of gambling addiction treatment and social rehabilitation in Latvia, experts most often voiced concern about a lack of information. Representatives of local governments, doctors and non-governmental organisations all raised the issue.
She regards the map as a first step toward making information more accessible. It helps people who suspect they may have an addiction to seek help in time, and accessible information helps reduce the stigma around gambling addiction.
Liga Līce, executive director of LLAB, stresses that information is lacking not only for those seeking help. Having it in one place is also useful for social work specialists in municipalities, organisations and institutions.
The association has committed to updating the map regularly.
About the association
LLAB brings together eight gambling operators licensed in Latvia: interactive gambling, gaming hall and casino operators. The association represents industry interests, maintains dialogue with state institutions and presents the industry's position in legislative processes.
