Spanish Gaming Authority Addresses Identity Theft and Risks to Young People

The General Directorate of Gaming Regulation (DGOJ), under the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and Agenda 2030, recently convened a meeting with scientific experts and medical professionals to discuss pressing issues surrounding online gaming. The focus was on identity theft and developing strategies to protect vulnerable populations.

Tackling Identity Theft in Online Gaming

A key topic was the presentation of the Protocol for Action for Supplanted Taxpayers (PACS-2024). This protocol is designed to assist individuals whose identities have been misused by others to evade taxes on gaming winnings. The DGOJ emphasized the dangers of sharing personal data for gaming purposes and the problem of identity theft used to allow minors, young adults, and self-excluded individuals to gamble.

The Influence of Tipsters

The meeting also addressed the role of “tipsters,” individuals who offer betting predictions and advice for a fee. Concerns were raised about how these tipsters might normalize gambling among young people. The DGOJ stressed the need for more effective awareness campaigns to educate scientific and healthcare professionals about the risks associated with identity theft and data sharing.

Improving Prevention Strategies

The DGOJ expressed concern that some existing prevention programs in schools do not adequately address the specific risks of gambling. Alternative, more in-depth approaches to gambling risk education were proposed.

Key Attendees

The meeting included prominent figures from the DGOJ, such as Mikel Arana, Director General of Gaming Regulation. Representatives from the healthcare sector included Beatriz Mesías Pérez, Deputy Director General of the Subdirectorate General of Addictions Madrid Salud, and Francisco Ferre Navarrete, Director of the AdCom clinic.

Experts from the scientific section of the Advisory Council on Responsible Gaming (CAJR), including Ángela Ibáñez Cuadrado, Néstor Szerman, and Juan Francisco Navas Pérez, also participated.

DGOJ’s Commitment

The DGOJ is committed to developing and implementing strategies to protect individuals from the risks associated with online gaming, particularly identity theft and the potential harm to young and vulnerable populations.