Public policy
A coherent public policy on gambling harm reduction requires decisive action on several fronts. First, accessibility to gambling opportunities must be significantly reduced by relocating gambling venues away from areas frequented by populations at risk of developing pathological gambling. This should be accompanied by strong restrictions—ideally a complete phase-out—of advertising that encourages gambling, both offline and online. Likewise, the dependence of football teams and other sports organizations on gambling industry funding should be diminished to limit the normalization and promotion of gambling through sport.
Clear regulation of advertising and online promotion is essential, but long-term progress also depends on strengthening the knowledge base and the professional ecosystem around gambling harm. This includes conducting high-quality research, training specialists capable of accurate screening, and implementing both targeted prevention for high-risk groups and primary prevention for the general population. Evidence-based interventions must guide all efforts, and particular attention should be given to studying and supporting vulnerable populations. Ultimately, these measures should converge toward the development of dedicated treatment centers, staffed by well-trained professionals and equipped to deliver validated, science-based care.
Raising awareness remains central to this mission. We were fortunate to have exceptional speakers—open, communicative, and generous in sharing their insights—and an engaged audience whose thoughtful questions reflected a genuine commitment to reducing gambling-related harm. I encourage all participants to remain curious, continue asking critical questions, and stay in contact with the experts they met today.
I extend heartfelt thanks to our sponsors—Loto Romania, AOJND, Secom, Destini, Lavazza Blue Coffee, and Magnapharm—for making this event possible. Looking ahead, I hope that the next edition of this conference will bring even stronger participation from industry stakeholders as well as political and regulatory bodies.
Finally, I hope more volunteers will join our projects, work alongside us, and help transform our shared vision—building a dedicated center for gambling addiction support—into a reality.