The Slovak Gaming Authority (Úrad pre reguláciu hazardných hier) has expanded its academic outreach by signing a strategic partnership with the Faculty of Social Sciences and Healthcare at Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra. The agreement aims to bridge regulatory practice with academic preparation of future social workers and psychologists who play crucial roles in protecting vulnerable populations from gambling-related harm.
Building on Existing Academic Partnerships
The memorandum of cooperation follows the regulator's recent partnership with the Faculty of Education at Trnava University in Trnava, demonstrating a broader strategy to embed responsible gambling education within Slovak higher education institutions.
The new partnership creates systematic education opportunities focused on the social impacts of gambling. Psychology and social work students will gain access to current knowledge through specialist lectures and workshops covering gambling regulation, addiction prevention, responsible gambling, and emerging forms of digital gambling.
Slovakia's Academic Network
The Slovak Gaming Authority now partners with two major universities across different regions - Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra (west-central Slovakia) and Trnava University in Trnava (western Slovakia). This geographic distribution ensures nationwide coverage of future social work and psychology professionals who will encounter gambling-related issues in their careers.
Comprehensive Educational Framework
The collaboration extends beyond basic education to include professional consultations for final thesis projects, participation in scientific conferences, and joint analysis of social trends in gambling markets. This multi-faceted approach ensures students receive both theoretical knowledge and practical insights from regulatory professionals.
“Our goal is to build a safe and responsible gambling market, which requires deep understanding of social processes.”
— Libuša Baranová, General Director, Úrad pre reguláciu hazardných hier
Baranová emphasised the frontline role of social workers and psychologists in understanding gambling within the broader context of family and community dynamics. She expressed confidence that combining the regulator's expertise with the university's scientific foundation would create an effective protection framework and help future professionals better identify and address social risks emerging in the digital age.
Academic Perspective on Vulnerable Group Protection
From the university's perspective, the partnership strengthens the connection between education and practical application in vulnerable population protection.
“Support for people in unfavourable situations, whether social or health-related, is among our priorities. This partnership strengthens the connection between education and practice and helps us prepare professionals who will be able to effectively protect vulnerable groups in contemporary society.”
— Prof. Tomáš Sollár, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences and Healthcare, UKF Nitra
Comprehensive Support Infrastructure
The partnership announcement coincided with details of Slovakia's gambling harm support infrastructure. The free gambling problems helpline operates at 0800 131 000, providing 24-hour, seven days a week support through the Specialised Psychiatric Treatment Institute. International callers can access paid support at +421 587 875 800.
Additional support includes the Register of Excluded Persons information line at 0800 127 000, operating Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 14:00. Outside operating hours, the service remains accessible via email at [email protected]. International callers must dial +421 800 127 000.
24/7
Hours gambling helpline operates
0800 131 000
Free national helpline number
9:00-14:00
Exclusion register service hours
Mon-Fri
Exclusion register operating days
Strategic Implications for European Markets
This academic partnership model represents a notable evolution in regulatory approach, positioning education and prevention as primary tools rather than reactive enforcement measures. The integration of gambling regulation expertise directly into social work and psychology curricula creates a pipeline of professionals equipped with specialised knowledge of gambling-related harm.
For operators across Europe, this development signals increasing regulatory focus on comprehensive harm prevention frameworks. The emphasis on training frontline social services professionals suggests future regulatory expectations may extend beyond operator-level responsible gambling measures to include broader community protection strategies.
The partnership also demonstrates how smaller regulatory jurisdictions can leverage academic institutions to build expertise and capacity without requiring substantial additional resources, potentially serving as a model for similar markets facing comparable challenges in vulnerable population protection.
According to URHH.
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