Questions and answers

There are a number of factors which can point towards a gambling problem:

• Anxiousness and irritability when you can’t gamble
• Repeated attempts to stop gambling
• Gambling increasingly large amounts of money
• Lying to other people
• Important relationships break down or are put under strain

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No, there are various factors which can lead to a person developing a gambling problem. These include:

• your environment (e.g. whether society accepts gambling),
• personal factors (e.g. how you cope with stressful situations) and
• factors related to gambling (e.g. accessibility and speed
• of gambling activities).

However, you can learn more about gambling and get help for a gambling problem.

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In Germany, only people over 18 years of age can gamble. This applies to fruit machines, scratch cards and sport betting, as well as lotteries and poker.

Yes, gambling addiction is recognised as a medical condition that requires treatment. This means that treatment costs are covered by health insurance providers or pension schemes.

No, we provide you with counselling free of charge.

No, our staff must maintain confidentiality. This means that they are not permitted to pass information about you on to anyone else. This includes family members.

No, getting our counselling does not affect your resident status. Your details are not passed on to the authorities.

We can provide counselling in the following languages:

(in some cases we work with interpreters)

• German (Deutsch)
• English
• Turkish (Türkçe)
• Arabic (العربية)
• Russian (Русский)
• Polish (polski)
• Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt)

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Yes, it is totally normal to be nervous! Lots of people are nervous before their first appointment. For some people, it takes years for them to feel ready to talk about their gambling or feel comfortable telling someone that they have a gambling problem. We will work with you to establish what you need and work to find solutions.

The first appointment can take place at our office or, otherwise, at another facility where you feel comfortable.

It is important to have an honest conversation with the person you are concerned about. You can offer your support! For example, you could offer to accompany your relative to an appointment here. You can also get information and advice from us yourself.