Can PAGCOR’s 24/7 Gambling Helpline Actually Help Reduce Gambling Addiction?

[Dave1]

How would a helpline stop a gambler anyways? Its an addiction that even family members cant easily help with

The people that value confidentiality would prefer to reach out to a helpline, in that way they don't have meet anyone they know to talk about their addiction problem. A helpline can guide them and in some cases connect them with a therapist. But I will always be of the opinion that the gambler must put in personal efforts to stop this addiction.

But perhaps the point is that how can they help if they are not in the position physically? Maybe they will be called and they give good answers and support but how will they know that those gamblers are following their order?

That's why the community might be divided about helpline being helpful or not. It could be just the first line of defense, but I don't think that it will be enough to turn the addict to quit and chance their habits for the better. There should be follow/monitoring and physical help.

[Accardo]

But perhaps the point is that how can they help if they are not in the position physically? Maybe they will be called and they give good answers and support but how will they know that those gamblers are following their order?

That's why the community might be divided about helpline being helpful or not. It could be just the first line of defense, but I don't think that it will be enough to turn the addict to quit and chance their habits for the better. There should be follow/monitoring and physical help.

Like things that require change, dedication is demanded from the gambler, to speak on phone, everyday with the gambling counselors, who would administer help on relevant procedures to avoid living in gambling addiction. These therapeutical professionals can only appear physically or help call life saving authorities like 911 when they confirm through their conversation that the gambler is in a near death decision making situation.

[bisdak40]

How would a helpline stop a gambler anyways? Its an addiction that even family members cant easily help with

The people that value confidentiality would prefer to reach out to a helpline, in that way they don't have meet anyone they know to talk about their addiction problem. A helpline can guide them and in some cases connect them with a therapist. But I will always be of the opinion that the gambler must put in personal efforts to stop this addiction.

Yeah, confidentiality is very important on the gamblers side, that's why talking to the phone without asking name so that the gambler could feel that he is safe from the scrutiny of the public that don't understand the situation he is in. Per news article, the ones that taking the calls were labeled counselors so in my own understanding they are different from psychiatrist that usually is the specialist needed to treat gambling addicts so this means that the counselors may refer the gamblers to psychiatrist which i think a little bit complicated.

[Fredomago]

How would a helpline stop a gambler anyways? Its an addiction that even family members cant easily help with

The people that value confidentiality would prefer to reach out to a helpline, in that way they don't have meet anyone they know to talk about their addiction problem. A helpline can guide them and in some cases connect them with a therapist. But I will always be of the opinion that the gambler must put in personal efforts to stop this addiction.

Yeah, confidentiality is very important on the gamblers side, that's why talking to the phone without asking name so that the gambler could feel that he is safe from the scrutiny of the public that don't understand the situation he is in. Per news article, the ones that taking the calls were labeled counselors so in my own understanding they are different from psychiatrist that usually is the specialist needed to treat gambling addicts so this means that the counselors may refer the gamblers to psychiatrist which i think a little bit complicated.

Following that statement, when you can freely voice up your feelings and you feel that someone is listening without taking any personal information, just simple conversation that will let you to speak up everything, it will help in some way though like what you said, if it's a counselor who will be open to hear you out it can ends up to refer you to a psychiatrist though if the situation can be handle by some encouraging words that can move a person to change up their perceptions something that can be handle in their side, that small talk may bring good impact to the gamblers mind that may help in accepting those words of wisdom that being provided to aid their gambling problems.

[davis196]

This looks like good news. Just recently here in the Philippines, PAGCOR, which regulates licensed casinos and sportsbooks both online and offline, launched an initiative called the 24/7 National Problem Gambling Helpline or NPGH. From what I understand, they want this hotline promoted in gambling-related advertisements, so people who are already having problems with gambling can reach out and get help through the proper support channels connected with PAGCOR.

What do you think about this campaign, would it actually help reduce gambling addiction, or is it just a way for gambling operators and regulators to show that they are doing something?

This hotline/helpline campaign must work for at least one year, so that enough data can be gathered and analyzed. Data such as the amount of people, who called and what percentage of them received further help. There's no point for us to try and guess about the effectiveness of such campaign before the campaign had started. I like the idea of all gambling ads including the hotline phone number, but I'm pretty sure that the crypto online gambling industry in the Philippines won't follow such requirement. Nobody can enforce the usage of this hotline number in online advertising.

[Sanitough]

This hotline/helpline campaign must work for at least one year, so that enough data can be gathered and analyzed. Data such as the amount of people, who called and what percentage of them received further help. There's no point for us to try and guess about the effectiveness of such campaign before the campaign had started. I like the idea of all gambling ads including the hotline phone number, but I'm pretty sure that the crypto online gambling industry in the Philippines won't follow such requirement. Nobody can enforce the usage of this hotline number in online advertising.

I think it is not only for one year, this was already created for good, meaning as long as the gambling industry is there, this hotline will remain. After all, the government is making a lot of money from the gambling industry, so maintaining this hotline is something they can also afford. Who knows, maybe it could really help reduce addiction, although personally, I doubt it will, but still it is a good development, not just for a show.

[Questat]

Following that statement, when you can freely voice up your feelings and you feel that someone is listening without taking any personal information, just simple conversation that will let you to speak up everything, it will help in some way though like what you said, if it's a counselor who will be open to hear you out it can ends up to refer you to a psychiatrist though if the situation can be handle by some encouraging words that can move a person to change up their perceptions something that can be handle in their side, that small talk may bring good impact to the gamblers mind that may help in accepting those words of wisdom that being provided to aid their gambling problems.

That is correct, even me, I would not be comfortable talking to someone about my gambling addiction if I do not know them. If I would talk, it will be with people that I trust, like friends and family, so this one would not really serve its purpose. I think a hotline is just best for complaining about casinos cheating gamblers, but not for sharing gambling addiction problems.

[Bright0515]

A lot of people think that this isn't going to be of help to addicted gamblers but they fail to look at some of the advantages of it. When a gambler feels the urge to gamble they can simply call the helpline to distract their mind, they can be guided on what to do at that particular time when the sudden urge to gamble comes. Although some people might not really want to talk to people they don't know but there are addicted gamblers that prefer to privacy this comes with. It still the choice of the addicted gambler to decide on what they want.

[Dr.Osh]

I think this service takes the gambling industry seriously, thus establishing a dedicated gambling management body. Gambling is indeed an industry that generates significant financial flows for the country. Unfortunately, some countries declare gambling and casinos illegal. However, the Philippines is different; they even manage this industry well through the Regional Gambling Agency (PACGOR). I believe the gambling industry there could become a major supplier to the Philippines.

[I_Anime]

This actually good , But the effect will probably be limited The reality is that only a small percentage of problem gamblers voluntarily seek help.

The worse case scenario is many will keep denying the fact that they are addicted to gambling , the first stage of conquering gambling addiction is to first admit that they are addicted gambling because many kept lying to themselves that they can stop any time , which is not actually true sometimes it takes the help of others to conquer gambling addiction.

[Hazink]

That is correct, even me, I would not be comfortable talking to someone about my gambling addiction if I do not know them. If I would talk, it will be with people that I trust, like friends and family, so this one would not really serve its purpose. I think a hotline is just best for complaining about casinos cheating gamblers, but not for sharing gambling addiction problems.

Hotline someone you do not see with your eyes, and they don't know you down to your house. I won't consider it the same say I will see you talking to someone I don't know and just meeting on the street.

I don't like sharing my problem with strangers, but in such a situation, I can freely talk to the person on the phone and limit the amount of personal details about myself that I can give out. It can just be considered as chatting with a bot and discussing some pressing issues which you need tips on how to get over it.

[lionheart78]

That's why the community might be divided about helpline being helpful or not. It could be just the first line of defense, but I don't think that it will be enough to turn the addict to quit and chance their habits for the better. There should be follow/monitoring and physical help.

I think Help line is not even the first line of defense.  How could a person who is sitting comfortably in an office waiting for someone to call them ans tell them they are addicted and ask their advice?  More or less, they are a crisis support option.

This actually good , But the effect will probably be limited The reality is that only a small percentage of problem gamblers voluntarily seek help.

The worse case scenario is many will keep denying the fact that they are addicted to gambling , the first stage of conquering gambling addiction is to first admit that they are addicted gambling because many kept lying to themselves that they can stop any time , which is not actually true sometimes it takes the help of others to conquer gambling addiction.

True, so I think to be able to help a person who is about to get addicted, the institution should regularly study the casino's player data and look for people who have red flag of getting addicted to gambling and reach out to them.  The institution should be the one to do the initiative if they are really concerned about gamblers.

Waiting in an office for someone to call them is like telling them to get addicted and just call them if you are already in trouble.  This is not a preventive measure, this is a reactive intervention.  So how can the title claim that this can help reduce gambling addiction?  It can reduce the number of gambling addicts towards destruction, but not reduce people who are getting into gambling addiction.