On November 25, 2024, a masterclass focused on gambling addiction prevention among employees in the gaming industry took place at the Black & White Club. The event brought together managers, HR specialists, and senior management representatives who discussed strategies for addressing addictions in the workplace.
The speakers at the event were Aneliya Miteva, Executive Director and Senior Consultant, Neuro-Agility Trainer, and Pavel Pavlov, psychologist and therapist. Aneliya shared that when addressing the problem, we must focus on the cause rather than just the symptoms of addiction. She explained that addiction is not a voluntary choice, but a way to escape reality and emotional pain. According to her, gambling addiction disrupts our natural reward system, where we risk something valuable to win something even more valuable. Pavel highlighted myths surrounding addiction, such as the belief that one must play every day to be addicted, or that people must hit rock bottom before they can start recovering. He stressed the importance of early detection of addiction and the individual’s willingness to change.
In the second part of the masterclass, Robert Mabbett, Engagement Director at Better Change, explored whether employees in the gambling industry should be allowed to gamble. He encouraged participants to ask themselves, “Am I allowed to gamble if I work for a gambling company?” and explained how to recognize signs of addiction, such as an excessive interest in tasks outside of their regular work. Robert emphasized the importance of taking care of oneself first before being able to care for others. The second part of the event was made possible thanks to the partnership with SBC, which added a global perspective and expert insights on player safety and gambling addiction prevention.