– It must be more difficult to end up in the same situation as me, says Thomas. It started with him being shelled in the city. Thomas tried to prevent a man from scratching and being rude to his friend. He was permanently disabled and received a substantial sum in victim compensation. In 2017, he started playing for one and a half kroner “the pressure” on digital gaming machines at Norsk Tipping. After a relatively short time, he found the same game at a foreign gaming company. The bet was then increased to NOK 900 “pressed”. Thomas is his real name. But news has chosen not to use his full name and not to use pictures of his face. The advertising ban on TV is not enough, Thomas believes. Photo: Anders Haualand / news Vil leve Norway has not had fewer gambling addicts in 20 years. Still, there are many who struggle. Thomas first won one and a half million when he started playing with a foreign gambling company. He struggled to withdraw the money and more or less lost everything. Then he started taking out loans. Lots of loans. He currently has around 5 million in gambling loans. In total, he has lost over 7 million. – I have thought a lot about whether I even want to live in this world, says Thomas. – But I still want to live. Too visible Despite the advertising ban on TV, Thomas believes that the foreign gambling companies are still far too visible. Advertising on social media and Google abounds. Things changed for Thomas when he installed an app on his phone called “Gamban”. The app blocks all betting companies, including Norsk Tipping. – Then I got so many kilos off my shoulders. And got hope that I will make it. How to get out of gambling addiction: Get someone on your team, don’t stand alone. Find a person or several people you trust and talk to them about the situation you are in. Stop the access to money. Freeze gambling accounts, maybe even freeze bank accounts and freeze credit cards. Bring your GP and an organization that can help you. There is a filter; Gamban, which can block your phone or PC from gambling sites. You have to be honest with yourself about the finances and the time you have and how it has affected those around you. Trust takes time to build, and you have to prove that you are worthy of that trust again. Contact someone if it is possible to get treatment for it. It is an addiction, it is a disease, and then there is often a need for treatment. Many refuse to do so. But it increases the possibility of getting out of it. Get a hobby, new routines and new activities. It is important to break the negative pattern. (Magnus Pedersen, political spokesperson for Gambling Addiction Norway) Wants blocking The Ministry of Culture and Equality is now holding an additional hearing to look at the possibility of blocking foreign gambling companies. So-called DNS blocking. This will mean that if you try to access one of these internet pages, you will get a message informing you that it has been blocked. – We have to do everything we can to ensure that fewer people become addicted to gambling. It affects individuals and entire families. I don’t wish anyone that terrible fate, says Culture and Equality Minister Anette Trettebergstuen (Ap). The proposal will be presented to the Storting in the autumn and will probably apply from 1 January 2024. WILL BLOCK: Minister for Culture and Equality Anette Trettebergstuen. Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB Blue Cross welcomes it Thomas hopes that a DNS block will become a reality. – I think it’s a great idea. It’s just a shame it hasn’t arrived sooner. Blue Cross is just as positive. They believe that anything that makes it more complicated to waste money is a good thing. – Those who already have a gambling problem can manage to find ways to gamble. But this will help those who are in the process of developing a problem, says Oddvar Jordheim Tyssen, psychologist and coordinator for gambling treatment at Blue Cross. Should one block all foreign gambling companies? Yes, that’s best. No, it’s too late. I am unsure. Show result Blocking register However, Carl Fredrik Stenstrøm does not take kindly to a blocking. He represents foreign gaming companies in his role as secretary general of the Norwegian online gaming industry association. In Sweden, foreign gambling companies can apply for a license to engage in odds and casino operations. There, they have also created a service called spelpaus.se. Players can go in and block themselves from all providers. – We have to work together. A common exclusion register is the best thing for problem players, says Stenstrøm. Despite the enormous sums he has gambled away, no one from the gambling companies has ever contacted him to hear about his problem gambling. Neither by SMS, e-mail or telephone. He has never had game restrictions. The only thing he has been offered are bonuses. – It is incredibly sad to hear Thomas’ story. These are the kinds of things we want to avoid. We have to look at Sweden and how they solve it there, says Stenstrøm. Things are getting brighter With 5 million in consumer loans and as permanently disabled, Thomas has zero chance of paying back. Now he is waiting for an answer on whether he can get a public debt arrangement. If all goes well and he follows the strict rules, his debt will be gone in five years. – I don’t want to dig myself into some big, black hole. Things are getting brighter, concludes Thomas. The requirements for getting a debt arrangement: First, you usually have to try to make an agreement with the creditors yourself. You must be permanently unable to settle the debt. You do not meet the conditions for debt settlement if you have temporary payment problems. It should not seem offensive to others that you get a debt arrangement. The bailiff assesses this. The age of the debt comes into play here. If you have a lot of new debt, it may prevent you from getting a debt arrangement. Then you should wait to apply until the debt has become somewhat older. Hello! Thanks for reading to the end. What are your thoughts on Norway’s gaming monopoly? Should we do more for gambling addicts? I would like to hear your opinion.
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Wants full blocking of gambling company – news Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
