“It’s clear: We have to act. We’ve managed to bring leading expert teams from North Rhine-Westphalia on board for this initiative. With GAMESHIFT NRW, a truly groundbreaking prevention project has been created,” said WestLotto CEO Andreas Kötter
Münster, 25 September 2024
GAMESHIFT NRW
Gambling Risks in Gaming: WestLotto unveils unique national prevention initiative
Lottery provider pledges about six million euros over five years
Gambling has no place in children’s hands: On the national Action Day against Gambling Addiction, WestLotto is unveiling a one-of-a-kind prevention initiative addressing the dangers of gambling elements in online games. With GAMESHIFT NRW, the state lottery provider from North Rhine-Westphalia continues its unwavering commitment to youth protection, responding to alarming scientific findings. WestLotto is funding this flagship project with a total of about six million euros over the next five years, offering an approach that is both comprehensive and unique.
“It’s clear: We have to act. We’ve managed to bring leading expert teams from North Rhine-Westphalia on board for this initiative. With GAMESHIFT NRW, a truly groundbreaking prevention project has been created,” said WestLotto CEO Andreas Kötter. The project is being implemented in practice by the education and digital experts from Education Y, Pacemaker, the state-funded Fusion Campus and the app developer Wegesrand.
Studies identify an urgent need to take action
According to a recent study by DAK Insurance and the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, nearly one million children and adolescents in Germany exhibit risky or pathological gaming behavior. With GAMESHIFT NRW, WestLotto is focusing attention on the risks associated with gambling elements in online games. Experts agree that exposure to gambling at a young age increases the risk of developing problematic gambling behaviors later in life. Against this backdrop, findings from the 2023 Gambling Survey are particularly concerning: the incidence of gambling disorders has risen sharply, particularly among 18- to 25-year-olds.
GAMESHIFT NRW primarily targets children and adolescents with four components, while also educating parents, teachers, and social workers with a strong emphasis on schools as learning environments. “GAMESHIFT NRW tackles the issue head-on, addressing how minors are being confronted with gambling-like elements in online games. Where better to reach children, adolescents and their caregivers than in schools?” explains Andreas Kötter.
The prevention project is set to launch in the fall of 2024. For the first time, parents and educators will have access to a single online platform that gathers all relevant information, resources, and contacts in one place. This platform will include custom-designed “ready-to-teach” materials, e-learning courses, and guides on gaming and media use.
New app highlights the dangers
Training courses will be offered to raise awareness and by spring 2025, two more key elements: GAMESHIFT NRW is creating serious games developed as an app, which will use interactive gameplay to demonstrate the risks of combining gaming and gambling. For example, young players will be confronted with gambling elements in a virtual horse race scenario, only to discover later how subtle programming techniques were used to encourage them to “spend money”. At the heart of this initiative are “GameDays,” where experts will visit schools to educate children and teenagers about these risks. Additionally, the students themselves will be trained as “gaming mentors”.
More information and background on GameShift NRW and its partners can be found in the WestLotto newsroom.
Press contact:
Westdeutsche Lotterie GmbH & Co. OHG
Axel Weber
Tel.: 0251-7006-1341
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