Slovakia's gambling regulator has taken an unprecedented step in youth protection by partnering with academia to prepare the next generation of educators. On February 27, 2026, the Office for Gambling Regulation and the Pedagogical Faculty of Trnava University officially signed a memorandum of cooperation, marking a new frontier in preventing gambling addiction among young people.
Educational Innovation Through Expert Collaboration
The partnership creates a unique educational framework where future teachers gain direct access to regulatory expertise. Student educators will participate in specialized lectures and workshops covering gambling regulation, addiction prevention, responsible gaming practices, and emerging forms of digital gambling. This comprehensive approach ensures teachers graduate with practical knowledge of contemporary risks facing their future students.
The collaboration extends beyond classroom instruction to include professional consultations for thesis projects, participation in academic conferences, and joint development of educational materials for schools. This multi-faceted approach aims to create a generation of educators equipped with both theoretical knowledge and practical tools for addressing digital-age challenges.
“Today's digital era brings new challenges. The topic of gambling, online gaming and digital addictions increasingly affects the young generation, which requires a sophisticated and professional approach.”
— Libuša Baranová, General Director of the Office for Gambling Regulation
Baranová emphasized the critical role educators play during formative years, stating that teachers serve as guides when young people develop their personalities and abilities to resist pressure and manipulation. She expressed confidence that combining regulatory expertise with the academic tradition of Trnava University's Pedagogical Faculty would create a powerful mechanism for protecting the most vulnerable populations.
Academic Perspective on Youth Protection
The university's commitment to this initiative reflects growing recognition of gambling-related risks in educational settings. Professor Blanka Kudláčová, head of the Department of Pedagogical Studies at the Pedagogical Faculty, views child and youth protection as one of society's key priorities.
“The faculty's cooperation with the Office for Gambling Regulation represents an important step toward systematic education of future teachers in the area of risky behavior prevention and will lead to strengthening the protection of children and young people from risks that may threaten their future.”
— Prof. PhDr. Ing. Blanka Kudláčová, PhD., Head of Department of Pedagogical Studies
Educator Training Best Practices
Research shows that educators trained in addiction prevention are 3x more effective at early identification of at-risk behaviors. Key training elements include recognizing warning signs like sudden academic decline, social withdrawal, and excessive focus on mobile devices during breaks.
Establishing New Standards for Institutional Cooperation
This partnership establishes a new benchmark for collaboration between state institutions and universities in developing informed, critically thinking, and responsible young people. Both organizations recognize that investing in educator training represents the most effective path toward creating a safer future for children in the digital age.
Support Resources Available
The Office for Gambling Regulation operates a 24/7 helpline at 0800 131 000 for gambling-related problems. International callers can reach +421 587 875 800. The service is provided by the Specialized Psychiatric Treatment Institution at Predná Hora.
The initiative also connects with existing support infrastructure, including the Register of Excluded Persons information line at 0800 127 000, operating Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 14:00.
0800 131 000
24/7 Gambling Problems Helpline
+421 587 875 800
International Support Number
0800 127 000
Exclusion Register Information Line
9:00-14:00
Weekday Support Hours
Long-Term Impact on Digital Generation Protection
This collaboration represents more than academic cooperation – it signifies a proactive approach to addressing emerging social challenges before they become widespread problems. By integrating gambling regulation expertise into teacher training, Slovakia is positioning its educational system to respond effectively to digital-age risks.
The partnership acknowledges that traditional educational approaches may be insufficient for addressing contemporary challenges like online gaming addiction, digital manipulation, and gambling-related risks among young people. By equipping future educators with specialized knowledge and practical tools, this initiative aims to create a protective educational environment that can adapt to evolving digital threats.
According to URHH.
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