MOSTAR, March 24 (FENA) - Increase in number of gambling addicts continues in BiH, which is not surprising, considering that BiH has the most bet shops in Europe compared to the number of citizens, manager of the Gambling Recovery Club (KLOK), specialist in trauma psychology Marko Romić from Mostar told FENA.
He also warned that when it comes to number of addicts, BiH is first in the region and lately many women from the age of 20 to 75 have been seeking help due to gambling addiction.
“We had an example of an old woman (75 years old) who spent her entire pension, which she earned abroad, in bet shops playing bingo. She would spend her entire pension, around 1500 KM, and even thought about suicide,” said Romić.
He emphasized that gambling addicts are mostly people with better financial status and that includes a lot of “prominent citizens”, doctors, engineers, etc.
“Most people are attracted by beginner’s luck, and many of them gamble until they hit rock bottom. That mostly affects their families and addicts often think of suicide and some unfortunately commit suicide,” emphasized Romić.
He added that 830 men have attended KLOK Club over nine years, but only some, 115 of them, completed the entire treatment and returned to their normal life,” concluded Romić.
(FENA) A. B.