Uruguay strengthens responsible gambling initiatives

Lea Hogg January 15, 2024

SiGMA news

Addressing the escalating worries about harm related to gambling, Uruguay has stepped up its dedication to responsible gambling initiatives. The spotlight is now firmly on Montevideo, the capital city, where policymakers have entered into a long-term agreement with the Faculty of Medicine at the University of the Republic. The faculty has conducted research on problematic gambling behaviours in the country, revealing that over 35,000 Uruguayans are pathological gamblers and almost twice as many suffer from gambling issues. The agreement aims to expand the Program for the Prevention and Treatment of Pathological Gambling, which offers free therapeutic assistance to gamblers with gambling disorders. The agreement also seeks to improve the self-exclusion system at the Casino Parque Hotel, one of the largest land-based venues in the city. Additionally, the faculty will conduct teaching, research and extension activities on problematic gambling behaviours, as well as provide a social perspective to the clinical analysis of each case. The goal is to train and sensitize casino staff to better support gamblers who struggle with gambling addiction.

Collaboration with University of the Republic’s Faculty of Medicine

This strategic partnership comes on the heels of the national Directorate of State Casinos’ efforts to combat gambling issues by joining forces with the educational institution. The decision was spurred by a report revealing that over 35,000 Uruguayans are identified as gamblers, with almost twice as many grappling with problematic gambling behaviours. The focal point of this collaborative effort is the expansion of Uruguay’s 2009 Program for the Prevention and Treatment of Pathological Gambling, which currently offers therapeutic support services at no cost to individuals dealing with problematic gambling disorders. The new agreement with Montevideo’s mayor office aims to “maintain and improve” research on problem gambling behavior through the Department of Medical Psychology at the Hospital de Clínicas, undertaken by the Faculty of Medicine.

Montevideo strengthens responsible gambling measures

In the wider strategic plan, particular focus will be placed on the establishment of a strong responsible gambling structure, especially in relation to self-exclusion practices at the Casino Parque Hotel, a major land-based venue in Montevideo, (in photo above). Gerardo Lorbeer, Head of the Municipal Casino Management branch, (in photo above), emphasized the importance of utilizing the agreement to enhance early warning systems. The focus extends beyond mere regulation, aiming to train and sensitize casino staff to better support individuals struggling with gambling addiction. The collaboration seeks to bridge the gap between long-standing casino operators, some with over three decades of experience, and academic expertise to fortify responsible gambling practices. As these measures take center stage in Montevideo, Uruguay’s Congress concurrently announced ongoing discussions regarding the potential legalization of online gambling in the country. Presently, brick-and-mortar casinos are confined to specially designated ‘Tourism Zones,’ with limited options for retail sports betting. Despite the approval of an Online Gambling Bill by the Chamber of Senators in August 2022, further progress has been halted due to mounting opposition, with the proposal awaiting review by the Committees of the House of Representatives. The fate of online gambling in Uruguay remains a key point of interest amid the nation’s evolving approach to responsible gambling.