Harm reduction in gambling, gaming and trading online

We would like to present two harm reduction and risk limitation projects. The regional project "Time is Money" specifically on harm reduction on pathological gambling and the project "Players- Be the protagonist of your own game" specifically on harm reduction on online gambling,gaming and trading. "Time Is money" is a regional project for risk limitation and damage reduction in the contexts of gambling for money, implemented as part of the Plan to combat pathological gambling in the Piedmont Region, whose execution was entrusted to the "Addiction Pathology" Department of the ASL TO3 in collaboration with the ALICE onlus Social Cooperative of Alba (CN). On the basis of what has already been experimented in other areas and other addictions, the project adopts a methodology based on contingency management mechanisms through the presence of suitably trained operators and a mobile station equipped as an 'educational clinic' located in the context of the sale of gambling. The project, which started in July 2021, envisaged the purchase of 2 mobile units. The vehicles were graphically set up so as to be not only very 'identifiable' in the places where they operate, but also to perform an indirect communication function while the vehicle is in circulation.The activity of the mobile unit 'time IS money' is configured as a proximity intervention, outside the formal contexts deputed to care, where the problem manifests itself and the dysfunctional behaviour is acted out, in order to catch in the bud the elements of cognitive dissonance necessary for the construction of a motivation to change.The interventions addressed to the players offer the possibility of being supported in defining and respecting their intention to play for the time and money defined a priori, in exchange for concrete benefits with a high symbolic content. The Players project is a project on the territory of Alexandria, directed by the addiction department of the Asl of Alessandria and which is aspiring to become a regional opening. The activities carried out by the Players project team are exactly the same as the activities of the "time is money" project, but with a specific one on online gaming, gaming and online trading. Players working directly in virtual gambling,trading and gaming places with harm reduction and risk limitation approaches.

Project objectives:

Reduce the damage brought by mismanagement of one's finances in trading.

Reducing the damage and limiting the risks on the abuse of videogames and online gambling

Risk limitation and harm reduction in individuals attending major cash gaming venues.

Increase in self-control skills with respect to the time spent and money played by subjects frequenting gambling venues.

Promoting processes of change and commitment among gambling venue-goers to increase their awareness and capacity for self-analysis.

Promoting responsible gaming, trading and gambling actions.

Promoting access to the Gambling Disorder Care and Treatment Service