Educating gambling addiction counsellors about the intersection of cryptocurrency and gambling: Experiences from an in-person seminar
Our co-founder Fred Steinmetz recently led an immersive in-person seminar at the Hessische Landesstelle für Suchtfragen e.V. (HLS), a non-profit organization focused on information, help and consultancy as well as prevention of gambling addiction, to deepen the understanding of the interrelations between cryptocurrency and gambling among participants (e.g., care workers who counsel individuals who need help with gambling or trading addictions). Fred Steinmetz has been empirically studying the intersection of cryptocurrency and gambling for many years. The seminar promoted the direct exchange of knowledge and insights and provided space for lively discussions as well as the mutual exchange of experiences.
Not only the multifaceted connections between cryptocurrency and gambling were discussed in the seminar, but also the complexities as well as risks and benefits involved were highlighted.
At the beginning of the seminar, the core principles of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology were discussed in order to establish a comprehensive foundation. Thus, various types of cryptoassets and their applications across different industries were outlined. In this way, participants were provided with a solid understanding of the fundamental concepts underlying the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Based on this foundation, the focus was shifted to the interrelations between cryptocurrency trading and gambling. By drawing parallels between these two realms, it could be highlighted how both activities involve elements of high risk and high reward. Given these results, it was afterwards examined how the harmful behavior of chasing losses, often associated with gambling, can manifest within the realm of cryptocurrency trading. Additionally, the intriguing phenomena of using cryptocurrency as wagers in online casinos and decentralized gambling platforms facilitated by blockchain technology was explored. The seminar aimed at fostering a holistic understanding of how the intersections of cryptocurrency and gambling impact individuals seeking assistance with addiction and enable participants to apply their newfound knowledge to the challenges they face in their daily work.
Through our seminars, participants are able to gain valuable knowledge, and understand the reasons and origins of vulnerable people seeking addiction help.
If you’re interested in learning more about the intersections of cryptocurrency and gambling or our upcoming events, feel free to directly reach out to Fred Steinmetz.
Related articles:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S074756322200259X
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0040162521005059
https://www.blockchainresearchlab.org/publications/#bd6068c1e35532085