Special protection for vulnerable gamblers

Liberal social models, the social market economy in Germany, consumer protection in general and the internationally dominant Reno model (Responsible Gambling) for gambling in particular initially assume equal rights and responsibilities for market participants. In the case of "asymmetric information", the state and the market provider (in this case gambling operator) are responsible for establishing an equal level of knowledge through consumer education. Under the condition that the buyer is then responsible for his actions. This is also the basis of Responsible Gambling (e.g. Blaszczynski & Nower, 2002): game information, feedback on the course of the game and computer- controlled or personal warnings for staff are central components of such consumer protection.

For vulnerable gamblers, "rational" educational measures do not suffice; they must be additionally protected by individual early detection and intervention, from counselling to game restrictions, pauses during gambling sessions to exclusion as a last resort. According to the Catholic Social Doctrine, which with the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity is very well suited for solving this requirement for market providers, the operator has the responsibility for such assistance, under state regulatory control in the implementation (Bühringer et al. 2017a, 2017b, 2018a, 2018b, 2018c, 2018d, 2018e, as well as Bühringer, 2018.

In connection with the protection options for vulnerable gamblers, ranging from prohibiting games to forced exclusion, numerous ethical questions are raised regarding the restriction of the freedom of third parties and data protection, which require public discussion (Bühringer, 2018; Bühringer et al., 2018b).

Publications

Bühringer, G. (2018). Regulation of gambling: A tightrope walk between freedom of choice and public control. SUCHT, 64(5-6), 237-240.

Bühringer G., Czernecka, R., Kotter, R., & Kräplin, A. (2018d). Zur Relevanz der Merkmale von Spielstätten für die Regulierung des Glücksspiels am Beispiel der Geldspielgeräte. [On the relevance of the characteristics of gambling venues for the regulation of gambling using the example of gambling machines] In J. Krüper (Ed.), (pp. XX-XX). Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck.

Lectures

Bühringer, G., Czernecka, R., Kotter, R., & Kräplin, A. (2018a, 22.03.). Verbraucherschutz bei Glücksspielen: Verantwortung von Anbietern und Spielern sowie Regulierungsbehörden, Forschung und Hilfesystem. Paper presented at the 15. Symposium Glücksspiel, Hohenheim.

Bühringer G., Czernecka, R., Kotter, R., & Kräplin, A. (2018b, 28.06.). Individuelle Vulnerabilität für Störungen durch Glücksspielen und Konsequenzen für den Verbraucherschutz. Paper presented at the 4th International Multidisciplinary Symposium on Gambling Addiction, Fribourg, Switzerland.

Bühringer, G., Czernecka, R., Kotter, R., & Kräplin, A. (2018c, 12.09.). Beyond Reno II: Who cares for vulnerable gamblers? Paper presented at the 12th European Conference on Gambling Studies and Policy Issues, Malta.

Bühringer, G., Czernecka, R., Kotter, R., & Kräplin, A. (2017a, 17.10.). Individuelle Vulnerabilität für psychische Störungen und Konsequenzen für den Verbraucherschutz beim Glücksspielen. Paper presented at the Fachtagung Suchtprävention Glücksspiel in der Praxis, Frankfurt/Main.

Bühringer, G., Czernecka, R., Kotter, R., & Kräplin, A. (2017b, 20.10.). Verhaltenswissenschaftliche Überlegungen zur Regulierung des Automatenglücksspiels in unterschiedlichen Spielstätten. Paper presented at the Zweites Bochumer Gespräch zum Glücksspielrecht, Bochum.