Slovakia Unveils Plan to Promote Responsible Gambling Marketing

Slovakias gaming oversight body has unveiled a plan to promote responsible marketing, a key step in establishing industry guidelines to curb gambling advertisements within the nation.

The Slovak Gambling Office unveiled the action plan, which seeks to restrict gambling advertisements, as an initial step in regulating the industry within the country. The office stated that the public is currently exposed to gambling advertisements across various platforms, including television, radio, sponsorships, and outdoor advertising. It also highlighted that advertisements for unregulated gambling products can reach minors or individuals susceptible to gambling-related harm.

The office’s chief executive, David Renczes, emphasized the significance of clear standards for responsible advertising within the country. “It is desirable for society that gambling advertising in Slovakia adheres to clear standards and responsible content,” he stated. “Therefore, we are proposing a responsible advertising action plan.”

The plan will involve discussions among stakeholders, aiming to develop industry standards for responsible advertising. Renczes added that the plan will focus on the quantity of advertisements, the content of advertisements, and the intended audience of advertisements.

“This initiative from our office aims to initiate discussions with professional partners.”

The potency, concentration, and substance of promotions are critical. The efficacy of advertising will ultimately guide us in addressing advertising morality concerns related to susceptible populations and minors, particularly due to the necessity of employing consumer-friendly data in advertising to present operators’ goods and services.

Let’s not disregard the hazards of problematic gaming, financial setbacks, accountable gaming, and the potential for providing assistance in the prevention, identification, and management of non-substance addiction.

The agency stated that there is “a sufficiently compelling public interest rationale” to take regulatory action to safeguard customers from the adverse effects of gambling, but for the time being, self-regulation seems to be the most effective mechanism.

“We are keen on transforming gambling into a secure source of amusement and establishing a legally predictable setting for operators and consumers. The outcome of professional collaboration could be a fresh starting point for potential future legislation.” remarked Lenčéš.

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