Government vows to introduce urgent legislation to treat problem gambling 

One in 30 adults in Ireland, or 130,000 people, are problem gamblers.

The Government has said it is treating problem gambling with urgency after new research laid bare the scale of the issue in Ireland.

In the landmark paper, the ESRI said that 3.3% of the population meets the threshold of problem gambling, where they experience multiple negative behaviours, such as borrowing from others, to fund gambling.

This equates to around one in 30 adults, or 130,000 people, who are problem gamblers in Ireland.

A further 279,000 adults show moderate evidence of problem gambling, meaning they suffer several negative behaviours or experiences associated with their gambling.

The ESRI noted that while its estimates of how prevalent problem gambling is are much higher than previous ones, “we still may be underestimating the true prevalence” of the issue.

Gambling regulator

In its research paper, the ESRI said the evidence it has gathered has “serious implications for understanding the role that gambling plays in Irish life” as the Government prepares to pass legislation granting sweeping powers to the country’s first gambling regulator.

“Although the gambling industry is a large employer, provides entertainment for many consumers, and has strong links to sporting activity, the results presented here imply that a large minority of transactions undertaken by the industry involve customers who have problem gambling or display moderate evidence of problem gambling,” it said.

Minister of State James Browne, who is spearheading the new legislation, said the research shows the extent of this “very serious addiction”.

“This is an industry that can cause huge amounts of personal damage to families that can absolutely be destroyed and that needs to be recognised,” he told RTÉ radio.

“Our laws are completely outdated. They're not fit for purpose or don't even exist in so many areas.

“I remember about 12, 15 years ago there was a lot of concern about a casino maybe setting up in Tipperary. The reality is now every 12-year-old controls the casino in their back pocket. So this is urgent legislation and we're treating it urgently.” 

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Professor Colin O’Gara, consultant psychiatrist and head of addiction services at St John of God Hospital, said that funding is essential for inpatient treatment in every county. 

It’s expected that a social fund will be set up by the new gambling regulator to provide much-needed resources for problem gambling initiatives.

“We have probably had 13 years plus of accelerated gambling,” he said. 

“A meaningful levy has to contain service provision in every province, inpatient treatment in every province.

“And the industry needs to be levied appropriately. It’s going to be substantial if we’re going to seriously address this.”

Professor O'Gara also stated that the data shows problem gambling is now a "public health emergency" in Ireland and it is "extremely timely" to have these figures as the gambling regulator prepares to begin its work.