Scale of gambling addiction demands change
Labour Senator Mark Wall has described problem gambling as an epidemic across Irish society following the publication of the annual report of the Rutland Centre.
Senator Wall said:
“Problem gambling is a feature within every community across the country. 20% of the Rutland Centre’s outpatient admissions related to problem gambling, this highlights the scale of the affliction nationwide.
“Last October, the ESRI estimated that one in 30 adults in Ireland suffer from problem gambling, a ten fold increase from 2019.
“Clearly we have a growing issue that must be addressed. Labour has long called for a full ban on advertising by gambling companies that drive many people to this behaviour.
“While not a panacea, stopping this nudge factor could have an impact on helping those experiencing addiction, and preventing others gambling in the first instance.
“In recognition of the harm caused by advertising to those at risk of gambling addiction, last year Belgium took the brave move to ban all gambling ads and I am reiterating my call to Government for Ireland to follow suit.
“There’s no doubt that the pandemic taught gambling companies to be more creative – to invest more in online and digital advertising. This needs to be curbed.
“As highlighted in the Rutland Centre’s report, recovery is possible. Government must invest more resources for gambling addiction support services. There are only a handful of services available to people at present, and these services are struggling to meet the growing demand.
“Problem gambling is an addiction and it should be treated as such. It needs to be treated as a public health issue and we need to ensure that there are adequate supports in place to help those suffering from addiction.”