In the 2023 Gambling Atlas, an estimated 1.3 million individuals from Germany struggle with problem gambling habits
Burkhard Blienert, the German Federal Government Commissioner on Drugs and Addictive Disorders, has expressed concerns about the potential risks of gambling addiction, particularly in relation to loot boxes in video games.
Born on March 30, 1966, in Braubach, Rhineland-Palatinate, Blienert studied politics, modern history, and sociology, earning a master's degree. Before taking on his current role, he worked for the SPD party executive and served as a referent for school, further education, and sport. He also served as a member of the German Bundestag and was engaged in the Kuratorium of the Federal Agency for Civic Education and as a deputy member of the Administrative Board of the German National Library.
In his current position, Blienert has advocated for a tougher stance against illegal gambling. He believes that young people can quickly become addicted and financially ruined by the purchaseable game advantages in loot boxes. These digital items are often compared to gambling mechanics due to their randomized reward nature.
Blienert sees loot boxes as a gateway that can foster addictive behaviors similar to gambling addiction. He has called for stronger regulations to protect vulnerable groups, particularly minors, from the potential harms of gambling-related content in digital media.
According to the Gambling Atlas 2023, published by Blienert on November 13, 2023, 30% of people in Germany have participated in gambling. The atlas also indicates that there are estimated to be 1.3 million people with a gambling addiction in Germany, with a further 3.25 million people exhibiting symptoms of a gambling disorder. The share of people with a gambling addiction among the total number of players is 7.7%, according to the Gambling Atlas.
Blienert is particularly concerned about underage gambling and believes more needs to be done to prevent it. He has not yet provided detailed policy statements on the regulation of loot boxes, but he considers the issue to be important.
As a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) since 1990, Blienert's stance on gambling addiction and loot boxes reflects the party's commitment to protecting the well-being of its citizens, particularly young people. While more information about his specific views and policy proposals may become available in the future, his advocacy for stronger regulations against gambling-related harms is clear.
In light of his role as the German Federal Government Commissioner on Drugs and Addictive Disorders, Burkhard Blienert has voiced concerns about potential risks related to sports-betting, including loot boxes in video games, which might lead to casino-and-gambling addiction among young individuals. This concern is reflected in the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD)'s commitment to protecting citizens, especially minors, from the potential harms of online casinos based in Germany.
