Saturday, April 14, 2007

Vincent Hotyat, director of the National Lottery, says that about 135,000 Belgians are addicted to gambling. He says the players put a heavy burden on the social security system "because too much gambling leads to stealing, loss of employment, divorce and even to a suicide attempt in 15 percent of cases." The 135,000 people with a gambling addiction do not limit themselves to the National Lottery games, Hotvat says. Beginning next week the National Lottery will start an awareness campaign under the motto "Because playing should still be fun. Know your limits." The slogan will also be on scratch-off cards since they are reputedly the most addictive games of chance.