Association of Social Workers of the City of Skopje
Total budget: MKD 1.798.950
Timeframe: 1.6.2019-31.8.2020
Partner
Association of Clubs of Treated Alcoholics of the Republic of Macedonia
Constituents
Citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia with a special focus on the local governments in eight municipalities.
On the Project Supported by Civica Mobilitas
Don’t Bet on Your Life
Background for the Action
In North Macedonia, the phenomenon “betting in sport betting shops” has been broadly spread. According to the Analysis made by the Association of Sports Betting Shops, in 2013, 46% of the citizens or 61% of the men in the country bet. Almost three-fourths of the betters have income below the average. The young people and especially the male part of the population are mostly addicted to the phenomenon called sports betting.
Unlike the more developed countries, where poker and games of chance are understood as fun, in the countries with a low standard of living gambling is understood as a dangerous addiction, which should be treated. The addict of games of chance is a burden to society because of his endangered economic status, but this problem directly affects his family as well. The addiction problems are also transferred to his work habits and his existence is put into question. The addiction from games of chance is a global problem which has not been treated appropriately in Macedonia. Figures say that betting and games of chance are a hot issue in the small town s where the sources of entertainment are limited.
GOALS AND RESULTS
Goal: Decreasing the number of addicts from sports betting and other games of chance with a special focus on prevention with the youth by raising the awareness on the problem and involving the civil society.
Objective: Building an infrastructure, experts and media campaign on prevention, direct help and integration of the addicts from sports betting, slot machine clubs and gambling in the society.
Results
- 4,000 students in the high schools in eight cities surveyed;
- Increased engagement of the local communities in cooperation with the civil society;
- Implemented an advertising campaign in order to raise the awareness for prevention and help to addicts from games of chance;
- Trained local people to implement voluntary educational workshops on prevention from gambling in the schools.
Activities
- Survey research in high schools;
- Forums for prevention and help to gambling addicts;
- Implementation and preparation of a media campaign;
- Volunteer educational workshops and counselling centre.