Number of gamblers seeking help trebles

THE number of people attending Gamblers Anonymous (GA) meetings around the country has doubled and in some places trebled over the past six months as people can no longer afford their betting habits.

A spokesman for GA said there has been a surge in people attending meetings as addicts could no longer keep on top of gambling bills due to changed economic circumstances.

“Less than a year ago meetings around Dublin city had just five or six people – seven at most – but now some are catering for up to 30 people,” the spokesman said.

There are several GA meetings every day of the week in the capital, he said.

“In the good times people could support the habit, they were on such good money they were still able to the pay the bills,” he said.

“Now they just can’t and need the support network of the meetings to try and stop.”

The spokesman said the extent of problem gambling still had not been fully recognised in society and it was still very much a hidden addiction.

“Gambling is something that is seen as attractive and acceptable – like the horses or the dogs – but no one realises how many people are in trouble with it.”

Provisional revenue figures for 2008 reveal that in excess of €3.6 billion was gambled in 1,093 betting shops during 2008.

The figure represents a rise of almost €300m from 2006, a slight increase from 2007 – despite the decline in the number of bookies by almost 500.

The figure does not include bets taken on-course, online gambling or the National Lottery.

Austin Prior, head of treatment services at The Rutland Centre, said the figures were not surprising and that the centre too was seeing a big increase in the number of calls and enquires about treatment in relation to gambling.

“While times were good most guys were able to keep a step ahead, but since the credit crunch is biting suddenly they have found they are in trouble.”

Mr Prior said it had a “devastating” effect on families and could result in family breakdown.

“Often you will hear stories that the gambler is maintaining that everything is OK and is out buying rounds and splashing money around while the family is at home suffering.”

He encouraged people with a family member with a problem to seek help and support as they often ended up feeling shame and guilt.

Meanwhile, recent figures from marriage counselling service Accord revealed that a growing number of couples are citing problems around internet usage and time spent in “cyberspace” as a source of marital conflict.

John Farrelly, director of counselling with Accord, said one of the key areas causing conflict was internet gambling.

* Contact GA on gamblersanonymous.ie or at 01-8721133.