The house always wins.

"I got a job at the age of 18, right after high school. It was the first slightly bigger money that was only mine. I was waiting for my salary so I could go to casino. Devices, tickets, it didn't matter, I used to spend more than five thousand dinars in one evening", says the young man from Aleksin, who wanted to remain anonymous, about his gambling problem.

Aleksinac is a city that stands out for its large number of casinos in relation to its area and number of inhabitants. Thus, until recently, in the pedestrian zone of the main street, which stretches for about 400 meters, there were as many as seven different facilities providing gambling and games of chance services.

As in other places, there are flashy advertisements, bright neon signs, large billboards and dynamic LED displays. And those advertisements and billboards are placed in the busiest locations in the city, especially in the mentioned pedestrian zone, so that they are visible to everyone who slowly passes by.

In addition to visual effects, casinos often use attractive promotional offers, such as free games, bonuses for new players and special events. Promotions that include cheap or even free drinks for players are also characteristic.

HORIZON OF NORMAL AND DESIRABLE

PhD student in psychology Anja Špegar says that young people are malleable when it comes to gambling: "Young people, still in the process of trying out different models of behavior in the service of 'finding' themselves (defining their identity), are increasingly sensitive to the influence of family and peers, as well as wider social environment, which can be read in the flexibility in relation to marketing campaigns that often distort and positively portray the nature and outcomes of gambling".

The pronounced attendance of casinos, as well as the increase in the popularity of games of chance, are certainly the consequences of the lack of adequate social content in Aleksinac. This means that young people do not have enough opportunities to engage in activities that could positively affect their development and socialization. Therefore, they often seek alternative ways of entertainment, which may include risky activities such as gambling.

"One of the social factors that most reliably predict problematic/pathological gambling is the number of friends and family members who regularly gamble, as well as the presence of positive attitudes towards gambling in the immediate social environment," explains Anja Špegar.

And casinos are present everywhere, gambling is normalized as a socially acceptable activity. Young people, observing the elderly regularly visiting such places and talking about gambling as something fun and normal, develop positive attitudes towards gambling. Such a perception can be particularly harmful because it reduces awareness of risks and negative consequences.

Media representation and marketing of casinos is also a problem. Advertisements are ubiquitous in the media, and sponsorships of various local events further increase their visibility.

CENTERS OF SOCIAL LIFE

All the young people we talked to, aged between 18 and 30, claim that Aleksinac has almost no conditions for an organized social life and that everything is directed towards visiting casinos. To some extent, this can be interpreted as a reflection of the global trend. Because casinos not only provide "easy" entertainment and an opportunity for potential profit, but have also become an important part of the social fabric of the community. They assume the role of informal social centers, where people of different age groups and social strata gather.

"It is not surprising that gambling in adolescence is often motivated by social or competitive reasons, and less often by the possibility of financial gain", concludes Anja Špegar.

A CASINO - TWO STREETS AWAY

Although two betting shops were moved from the center of Aleksinac during the summer due to their improper proximity to the Primary Music School, the question remains whether this move can represent any long-term change. Despite the fact that the decision to move away has the support of the public, the fact is that bookies still continue to influence young people, only from a changed location which is - two streets away.

Relocation is a micro-level problem-solving, while the wider availability and appeal is not diminished, especially in communities where gambling has almost reached the level of everyday life.

Although minors are legally prohibited from directly participating in games of chance, in practice there are more and more frequent cases of indirect participation, either through an adult who pays them a ticket or due to a lack of adequate supervision and prevention.

Lawyer Nataša Veljković explains that limiting the distance of casinos from schools aims to reduce the exposure of young people to gambling content and their potential influence. However, she continues, "the effectiveness of these measures depends on the strict application of regulations and controls, because physical distance alone does not fully guarantee protection, especially with the availability of online gambling". She adds that preventive activities, such as education and support for young people, are key.

NEW DRAFT LAW ON ADVERTISING

However, there is some good news. The new draft of the Law on Advertising in Serbia introduces restrictions on the promotion of games of chance. Under the proposed changes, celebrities including actors, singers, athletes and influencers will no longer be allowed to advertise casinos and bookies. The aim of this measure is to protect children and minors from negative influences, given that research shows that young generations are more attracted to games of chance when they are promoted by public figures. However, active athletes whose clubs are sponsored by organizers of games of chance are exempt from the Law.

In addition to this, the Law additionally regulates the time and places of advertising. Advertisements are allowed only between 23 p.m. and 6 a.m., during sports broadcasts, and on the websites of organizers and sponsoring sports clubs. Restrictions include banning advertisements on televisions, billboards, schools and other public spaces.

photo: pexels / myatezhny

HOW MUCH YOU GET, YOU LOSE MORE

"The traits that make young people even more vulnerable to problem gambling are largely developmental in nature. The adolescent period is naturally accompanied by cognitive immaturity. In this context, the underdevelopment of executive functions, mental skills that allow us to plan our own behavior, is of particular importance. In addition, young people often show a poor understanding of statistical probability, both due to intellectual immaturity and insufficient information and experience," Anja Špegar explains this problem.

Gambling in Serbia and specifically in Aleksinac causes significant financial losses for individuals and the community. In 2023, total losses from gambling in Serbia amounted to more than one billion dinars. Needless to say, these losses negatively affect the economic stability of entire families, often leading to debt, financial insecurity and poverty that is difficult to get out of.

"As much as I was winning, I was losing much more. Once it all started, I couldn't stop. I could not, for a moment, imagine a day without gambling. I'm glad that in the end I was able to stop and realized how big a problem I had", concludes our interlocutor.

Where is help?

Help for gambling addicts in Serbia can be obtained through various programs and organizations that offer support and counseling. One of the key institutions is the Special Hospital for Addictive Diseases in Belgrade, which provides treatment and therapy for gambling addicts. There are also helplines and counseling centers that offer psychological support and information on ways to overcome addiction.

Gamblers Anonymous (GA) represents another important support network, with support groups throughout Serbia. These groups allow addicts to share their experiences, get advice and support from others going through similar challenges. In these groups, members are encouraged to build healthy habits and relationships, which are critical to long-term recovery.

Also, the telephone numbers that citizens can call and ask for help are: Association of Citizens for the Fight Against Gambling (phone: +381 21 422 601) and SOS line for pathological gamblers (phone: 0800 300 307).

This text was produced by a youth community journalist, supported by the YoCoJoin partnership, YoCoJoin received EU funding from Creative Europe.