The Interdiocesan Solidarity Center of Huesca , known as Proyecto Hombre , warns of an increase in gambling. Previously, these sources expose, the game was given exclusively in person, in bars, game rooms or casinos, mainly. However, due to the arrival of the Internet “other game modes have been emerging, which meet some dangerous conditions such as greater accessibility, comfort by not having to leave home, availability 24 hours a day or a greater sense of anonymity, for there is no need for anyone to see you.”
From Proyecto Hombre they state that according to data from the Ministry of Health, the prevalence of gambling between the ages of 15 and 64 is something that is on the rise . “In 2015, 37.4% of the population did so, while in 2020 this figure has practically doubled, reaching 63.6% ”, they warn.
And it is that the game can take several forms, which can also occur in person or online. Among face-to-face games, lotteries, primitives and bonolotos stand out, while in online games the highest prevalence is sports betting.
“If we focus on the 14 to 18 year old age range , we find a very early age of onset in the game, which is between 14 and 15 years old , being more common in men than in women” , they point out
This early starting age can be a “serious problem, since normally the young population looks for easy money, we find a high impulsiveness, associated with a great emotional intensity, typical of adolescence, a personal identity that is in the process of being formed, as well as a greater vulnerability to being persuaded by advertising”.
However, from the Fundación Centro Solidaridad Interdiocesano Proyecto Hombre Huesca, they shed “some light” on this phenomenon that does not only affect the person who plays, but also everyone around them. “In our center we have been fighting for 10 years to help those who suffer from this problem, more than 200 people and families have been affected ,” they indicate. Therefore, they invite people who may suffer from this addiction or members of their environment to call 974 24 52 00. They can also send an email to csihuesca@hotmail.