Responsible Gaming
Bulgarian Trade Association of the Manufacturers and Operators in the Gaming Industry (BTAMOGI) presents its initiative project – the informational campaign “Play Wisely!”
On April 15th, the Bulgarian Trade Association of the Manufacturers and Operators in the Gaming Industry (BTAMOGI) officially announced its initiative project in Bulgaria - the responsible gaming informational campaign “Play Wisely”. More than 100 gaming industry executives, including operators, manufacturers, representatives of Bulgarian Institute of Metrology and Bulgarian State Commission on Gambling, attended the bi-annual seminar co-hosted by the leading Bulgarian manufacturer Casino Technology and BTAMOGI.
First commitments to Responsible Gaming by BTAMOGI were announced during the 1st and the 2nd Eastern European Gaming Summit issues, where taking the role of initiator and promoter of responsible behavior, the Association invited representatives of European Association for the Study of Gambling, Responsible Gaming Fund and Austrian Gaming Association to introduce the best practices in that field in Europe.
The publication on Responsible Gaming, launched by The European Gaming and Amusement Federation (EUROMAT) is informing that although in Bulgaria there are no specific legislative obligations, there are strict requirements in respect of minors’ protection including strict prohibition of admission to the gaming premises for persons under 18.
Unifying the Manufacturers and Operators in the Gaming Industry, the Association recognizes that problem the gaming is an issue, which cannot be ignored and feel themselves committed to take a pro-active approach to the problem and underage gaming. This approach resulted in initiation of the informational campaign “Play Wisely”, which covers the aims of reducing the spreading of problem gaming, reducing the risks and harm related to problem gaming, along with increasing the awareness and promotion of healthy choices.
The informational campaign “Play Wisely” was launched, prior the official announcement, on 1st of April in 63 gaming halls operated by 10 companies and situated in 13 cities all over Bulgaria. There were delivered 3150 informational brochures, along with 3101 stickers promoting the campaign. After the official announcement 30 % of the attendees of the Seminar agreed to join the initiative, which encouraged the Association to undertake the next strategic steps in establishing the site www.otgovorna-igra.com, along with Free Helpline, Forum and possibility to provide professional support to those who want to be involved.
The results of the informational campaign “Play Wisely” will be presented in the panel “National and International approach to Responsible Gaming: responsible play” during the 3rd Eastern European Gaming Summit, which will be held on 4-6 October, 2010 in Sofia, Bulgaria.