PlayCity, Ukraine’s Gambling Authority, has launched a responsible gambling area on its website, featuring educational resources, an interactive quiz and a self-exclusion form.
The website currently has three key signposting opportunities.
The first is a list of health care institutions where citizens can go to receive free medical and psychological assistance.
The site explains that people can see a family doctor, psychologist, or psychiatrist without a referral from a healthcare institution that provides such medical services, which streamlines the process and reduces barriers between a patient and the care they wish to receive.
Secondly, players can follow a link to a list of social assistance centres that offer counselling services, psychological support and free legal advice.
Finally, the third link is to a list of NGOs that provide free information, counselling and psychological assistance to people who are experiencing gambling-related harm, as well as their families.
Gennadiy Novikov, PlayCity Head, said: “The topic of gaming addiction is important for Ukraine. A responsible gambling market is not possible without protective tools for players.”
The responsible gambling area also has a ‘Gambling Addiction Test’, with nine questions that ask the player to review their gaming habits.
At the bottom of each page, there is also a link to the self-exclusion register, which can be completed by the individual facing gambling-related harm or a concerned loved one.
Earlier this month, PlayCity published a report reflecting on its February achievements.
This included the number of illegal gambling websites blocked using the newly implemented Tracking System, a handful of fines totalling UAH 4.7m (US$107,295.31) and the latest developments in the State Online Gambling Monitoring System (DSOM).
The current self-exclusion durations on PlayCity are between six months and three years, while relatives can file for a six-month exclusion on behalf of their loved one
