More gamblers seek help
Gamblers Anonymous said there had been a rise in the number of people making contact with its helpline.
"It's much worse now than it was. You look at how they're after upping everything, with the internet gambling and they have bookies open to 10 o'clock at night. After that you can go to casinos. So it's everywhere, 24/7," said a spokesman.
The introduction of telephone and internet betting means gamblers equipped with credit cards can place bets easily and privately at any time of day.
According to Horse Racing Ireland, the amount spent on off-course betting nearly doubled from €1.17 billion in 2000 to €2.26bn in 2004.
Last year, Paddy Power increased its turnover by 28% to €1.16bn and made profits of €61m, while other bookmakers such as Boyle Sports, Hacketts and Celtic Bookmakers are also expanding at a rapid rate.
Although casinos are illegal in Ireland under the 1956 Gaming and Lotteries Act, more are springing up because operators can circumvent the Act by applying for planning permission for a private members' club.
Gamblers Anonymous holds meetings every week in 30 towns and cities, with meetings in Dublin seven nights a week.
The GA spokesman said that in the 19 years since he joined the organisation, at least 14 gamblers had died by suicide.
"I gambled for 35 years. I was down in hell but I came out of it and I'm doing well with the help of Gamblers Anonymous. It's them that have dragged me along," said the spokesman.
He added that in his worst days, he would sit on O'Connell Street in Dublin with a friend and gamble on the next car that came round the corner its colour, registration, anything.
The Gamblers Anonymous helpline number is 01 2859552 in Dublin and 087 2859552 in Cork.
