WILLEMSTAD - Curaçao must recognize gambling addiction as a psychological disorder so that appropriate care can be offered and treatment can be reimbursed through the basic care package of the Social Insurance Bank (SVB).
The Social Economic Council (SER) writes this in an advice in response to legislative proposals from the government to reform the lottery sector of Wega di Number (Curaçao lottery).
According to the SER, a further tightening of the licensing requirements for addiction prevention will help to reduce the problem of gambling addiction on the island and to promote socially responsible entrepreneurship in the number lottery sector.
Common phenomenon
Gambling addiction is a common phenomenon on the island. But current information about the exact extent of this form of addiction on the island is not available. The most recent study into the nature and extent of gambling addiction problems dates from 2003.
Gambling addiction is formally recognized as a psychological disorder, but despite this, this form of addiction is not classified as a psychological disorder in Curaçao and is also not included in the basic care package of the SVB.
Based on the findings of the 2003 study, the Social and Economic Council concludes that the gambling problem in Curaçao is relatively extensive. According to the SER, this means that effective policy aimed at preventing and combating gambling addiction is urgently needed.
Public Health
The SER advises the government to opt for the Public Health approach when developing the prevention policy for gambling addiction for the entire gambling sector.
The Public Health approach recognizes a joint responsibility by the government and the gambling industry in the prevention and control of gambling addiction.
As a result, the prevention policy should focus on responsible gambling on the one hand and harmful reduction on the other.
The SER also advises the government to include the responsibility of the Wega di Number sector in addiction prevention in the permit conditions.
The lottery sector in Curaçao currently comprises 24 license holders, who jointly generate an average annual turnover of 62.4 million guilders.