Two thirds of men and women and under 18s are gambling in Ireland, with 55,000 deemed to have a serious disorder.
A new report shows gambling revenues in Ireland increased over the last year, as people switched to online gambling during the pandemic.
The Gambling Awareness Trust study finds there is no specific public health programme to treat problem gamblers.
It recommends the establishment of a robust regulatory regime and a new industry levy and state funding to address the problem.
Revenue
Revenue from the betting taxes in Ireland is between €6 billion and €8 billion per year.
Co-author of a report ‘Gambling trends, harms and responses: Ireland in an international context’, Prof. John O’Brennan says the gambling industry and the Irish State have a ‘duty of care’ towards those who experience gambling harms.
"Our report recommends the urgent establishment of a robust regulatory regime, and that a new industry levy and State funding be used to significantly enhance public treatment provision, education and awareness of gambling related harms, and research into harmful gambling."
Assistance
Gambling Awareness Trust, the independent charity that funds research, education and treatment services to help minimise gambling related harm in Ireland said the findings would help identify the weaknesses in the current services, to help us improve the nationwide assistance available.
"GAT hopes the new regulator will include the report’s recommendations for customer-affordability checks by gambling companies, a ban on online credit card gambling, a robust customer self -exclusion regime as well as appropriate marketing and advertising restrictions."
