Overview

• On the nationwide action day, the federal addiction commissioner called for stronger youth and player safeguards, better prevention, and a crackdown on illegal gambling.
• Latest estimates indicate about 1.4 million adults have a gambling disorder and a further 3.5 million engage in risky play based on 2023 data.
• Online gambling is flagged as particularly hazardous due to constant availability, cashless payments and anonymity, with illegal operators seen as aggravating harm.
• The legal market posted a record €63.5 billion in turnover, generating €6.6 billion in tax revenue, underscoring tension between fiscal gains and public‑health costs.
• Families are heavily affected, with around 600,000 children living with at least one addicted parent; help-seeking often takes 1–5 years, and relapse and suicide risks are high.