Jdigital launches hotline on problem gambling with Fejar

Jdigital and Spanish problem gambling therapist, Fejar, have teamed up to launch a free gambling support hotline.

Free 24/7 helpline available for problem gamblers all year round

Spanish digital gambling association Jdigital i Spanish Federation of Rehabilitated Gamblers (Fejar) have signed a cooperation agreement to help problem gamers. As part of the project, members of the association activate a toll-free number for help and therapy on their platforms, which are managed by Fejar.

In the first phase of the agreement, eight Jdigital members will include a toll-free gambling service line on their websites. The phone number must be placed in a highly visible location on their websites. The first operators to join the initiative are Codere, Ebingo, Entain, Flutter Entertainment, Sisal, Sportium, Wanabet i Winamax .

The agreement was signed on the occasion of International Day of Responsible Gaming (Feb. 20). This is an example of the efforts and coordination between two of the most important organizations in the gaming industry to prevent risky behavior, Jdigital said in a press release.

"We are pleased to have signed this agreement with Jdigital and some of the country's major online gambling companies, as it highlights the importance of combining efforts in the fight against problem gambling, a task that has been Fejar's main objective since its inception in 1991. "

Maxi Gutiérrez, President of Fejar

The service will provide a first point of contact and support to callers on behalf of trained specialists in treating gambling disorders . Specialists will provide information or refer callers to the nearest association for evaluation of their behavior or receive special treatment.

On the other hand, Fejar will be preparing semi-annual reports , which will provide information on the number of calls received through the hotline. The paper will also analyze all relevant information to study player behavior in order to prevention and reduction of gambling-related harm.

Jdigital's criticism of gambling restrictions

Fejar's new helpline complies with the safer gambling requirements introduced by the Royal Decree on Responsible Gaming. The decree states that licensed operators must offer "direct links to safer gambling information services".

Jdigital has often criticized the Spanish government for using disproportionate gambling restrictions. The organization argues that the limits are not supported by empirical data and only work in favor of unlicensed gambling market.

Recently, the Spanish gambling regulator said that official figures show that gambling is not a public health problem in Spain. The statement sparked further disapproval on behalf of Jdigital. The association said that the statement was evidence of the deliberate arbitrariness and disproportionality of standing by royal decree.