Establishing a free telephone line for addicted players

“It’s good to play responsibly”. This is the message of the main advertising campaign that INTRALOT Italia has launched in order to promote the “Gioconsapevole” initiative, a practical measure to prevent and reduce gaming-related addictions. More precisely, INTRALOT Italia and S.I.I.Pa.C (Italian Organization for the Treatment of Compulsive Disorders) have launched a free telephone line to assist players who are affected by pathological gaming behaviour.

INTRALOT Italia is one of the first gaming operators to promote, in cooperation with S.I.I.Pa.C, the activation of the free phone line (800.589.372). Skilled operators, who maintain strict confidentiality when handling calls, evaluate whether the person making the call does indeed have a gaming addiction and, if so, propose the appropriate therapy.

From March to November 2010, 329 phone calls were made: 25% by male players, 10% by female players, 37% by players’ relatives and 28% by persons asking for general information about S.I.I.Pa.C’s services. Moreover, 90 individuals asked for consultation at S.I.I.Pa.C’s premises, 35 of whom have already started therapy.

Professor Cesare Guerreschi, President of S.I.I.Pa.C., commented on the initiative: “The response to the free phone line, which INTRALOT Italia has supported so strongly, reflects the positive results of a cooperation which is based on a common target: to promote responsible gaming and support players who have lost control over their gaming habits”.

Enea Ruzzettu, CEO of INTRALOT Italia, commented: “The ‘Gioconsapevole’ initiative is part of the wider ‘Gioco Responsabile’ project carried out by AMMS and other Operators. INTRALOT offers its full support of such endeavours in line with its core philosophy to promote the principles of responsible gaming.”

About INTRALOT Italia

INTRALOT Italia, a joint stock company, is a subsidiary of the INTRALOT Group, a global leader in the gaming market and listed on the Athens Stock Exchange. INTRALOT Italia was established in December 2006 and participated in the public tender for the licensing of the retailing of public gaming announced by AAMS. INTRALOT Italia was awarded licenses to operate fixed odds betting on sports events in a licensed retail network and through internet, as well as horse racing. INTRALOT Italia retail network is made up of more than 600 points of sale. With presence in all the Italian regions, its technology and professionalism, INTRALOT Italia offers services based on efficient and secure systems of on-line data transmission to its customers.