Key points:
- Medical professionals and scientists united to discuss identity theft issues in online gambling
- They also discussed the role of tipsters and their contribution to gambling among young people
In Spain, the General Directorate of Gaming Regulation (DGOJ) has reunited with representatives from the scientific section of the Responsible Gambling Advisory Council (CAJR) and the medical field of the Madrid City Council.
Together, they discussed identity theft within the online gambling sector.
During the meeting, the DGOJ presented the results given by the Protocol for Action for Impersonated Taxpayers, a response mechanism for taxpayers whose identity has been used by third parties to evade taxation on the capital gains they have obtained from gambling.
The discussion also centred on examining the role of so-called gambling experts, commonly known as tipsters, who provide betting advice, predictions, and tips in exchange for fees, new followers, or commissions. According to experts from the DGOJ and CAJR, their activity poses a risk by contributing to the normalisation of gambling among young people.
Good to know: The DGOJ held a meeting earlier this year alongside European gambling regulators to address the issue, and included France, the UK and Germany
An agreement was reached to design more effective strategies that enable scientific and healthcare professionals to raise alerts about the dangers associated with identity theft and the sharing of personal data.
It was also expressed concern about the dissemination of screen use prevention programs in educational centers that do not address the specific risks of gambling.
Among the assistants from the DGOJ were Mikel Arana, Director General of Gambling Regulation; Cecilia Pastor, Deputy Director General of Gambling Inspection; and Eugenio Álvarez, Deputy Director General of Gambling Regulation.
