Just under 60 per cent of respondents aged between 18 and 24 admitted to have played the lottery, betted or gambled at least once in their lifetime. The respondents participated in a lifestyle survey carried out by Agenzija Sedqa, in collaboration with the National Focal Point for Drugs and Drug Addiction and the national commission on the abuse of drugs, alcohol and other dependencies,

Another 54 per cent admitted to have played lotto, Super 5, Scratch cards and Keno at least once while another 6.2 per cent said they play weekly or almost weekly. Just over two per cent said they gambled on-line.

Sedqa operations director Jean-Claude Cardona explained that Sedqa carried out the study, the results of which will be officially published at a later date, in 2006 in which 1226 students aged between 18 and 24 took part.

Mr Cardona said that Sedqa has registered a new trend as more people are becoming addicted to Internet gambling.

“Internet gambling is easily accessible and there are no physical deterrents that might put a person off gambling,” he said.

All the possible deterrents – such as getting ready to go to the casino, being over 25, and actually driving to the location – are all eliminated with Internet gambling, said Mr Cardona.

All a person has to do is sit at his computer and access the site, putting him at a higher risk of becoming asocial.

Sedqa service manager Manwel Mangani pointed out that one of the great advantages of Internet gambling is anonymity.

“There still seems to be a stigma – some people still feel uncomfortable being seen walking into a casino,” he said.

Internet gambling appeals to the solitary type and people who are somewhat anti-social, said Mr Mangani.

Furthermore, added Mr Cardona, Internet gambling appeals to people with a busy lifestyle because all they have to do is sit down in front of their computer when they get home.

He pointed out that care has to be taken as the latest forms of entertainment are isolating people.

“Experts predict that gambling will eventually be done through interaction with television,” he said.

Mr Cardona pointed out that, unfortunately, several local and foreign television stations are advertising international poker tournaments.

“Although the adverts are shown quite late – they are still there,” said Mr Cardona, adding, “even though people cannot actually bet on the stakes in question, they still become involved in the game.”

Furthermore, on-line gamblers often swap gender.

“There are many women who sign up to play and say that they are men so that they won’t be seen as weak,” said Mr Cardona.

There is a higher request for help from women who have gambling problems, said Mr Mangani.

“Sedqa is working hard to increase awareness on gambling addiction through information campaigns,” he said.

He added that the registration system to gamble on-line is not very reliable. “I have heard of cases where young people steal their parents’ credit cards and gamble on-line,” he said.

The gambling websites are very enticing and most companies will often give first time players free credit, said Mr Mangani.

Mr Cardona said that Sedqa is calling for more regulations especially where on-line gambling is concerned.

“The government has recently approved our request to provide and train one social worker who will focus solely on helping gamblers overcome their addiction while providing support to their families,” he said.

Mr Mangani said that many on-line gambling sites offer links to sites that offer on-line counselling and help for a gambling addiction.

“The same medium can be used to reach out to addicts. In fact there are many websites that offer on-line counselling and although it is still too early to say if these are effective, at least they are there,” he explained.

In April, Sedqa in collaboration with GamCare, a leading UK website set up to help on-line gamblers, will organise professional training for counsellors and social workers specialised in the field of gambling addiction.

Mr Mangani explained that an on-line gambling addiction is very similar to alcohol addiction.

“A sober alcoholic lives in a society that bombards him or her with information and adverts on alcohol yet they still manage. Similarly, it does not mean that someone who has an on-line gambling problem will not be able to access the Internet for the rest of his or her life,” he added.

Mr Mangani said the family is closely involved in the treatment, which places great emphasis on group work.

“Gamblers Anonymous provides a great service and we refer a lot of clients to them, although it operates independently of Sedqa,” he added.

Sedqa is working hard to pre-empt the problem before it blows up, said Mr Cardona.

“Up to six years ago, binge drinking was an unknown phenomenon in Malta. However, there is now a group of younger people who are binge drinking every weekend. We are trying to avoid a similar situation with on-line gambling,” he explained.

Mr Mangani pointed out that the US congress recently passed a law banning the use of credit cards in on-line gambling.

“As a result, several on-line casinos that were based in countries like Barbados have closed and are trying to open in Europe. It is very tempting for governments to use it as a source of revenue,” he explained.

Mr Mangani added that online gambling generated Lm12.5 million in revenue for the Maltese government and this is expected to go up to Lm18 million this year.

Sedqa, the National Agency Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse, offers prevention and care services in the community and in residential settings. People requiring help on gambling can call Helpline 151, or visit the website: www.Sedqa.gov.mt.