The issue of underage gambling has become a growing concern in Ireland, as revealed by a recent report titled Children and Gambling – Evidence to Inform Regulation and Responses in Ireland.
The joint effort between the Institute of Public Health (IPH) and the Tobacco Free Research Institute Ireland (TFRI) sheds light on the alarming rate of gambling among 16-year-olds and highlights the urgent need for stricter regulations to protect vulnerable members of society.
The report surveyed 1,949 Irish secondary school students and found that 22.9 percent of 16-year-olds had engaged in gambling for money within the past year. Notably, boys had a higher participation rate at 28.2 percent compared to girls at 17.9 percent. The most popular forms of gambling among these adolescents were sports betting, lotteries, card or dice games and slot machines.
Disturbingly, a significant proportion of the surveyed adolescents reported experiencing excessive gambling. Around 10.3 percent admitted to engaging in excessive gambling, while 5.6 percent fulfilled the criteria for problem gambling. Problem gambling was defined as lying about gambling expenses and feeling the need to bet increasing amounts of money.
Moreover, 21.3 percent of 16-year-olds struggled with controlling their gambling habits, with 19 percent feeling compelled to bet more money and 8.1 percent resorting to lying about their gambling activities.
The report revealed notable differences in gambling behavior between boys and girls. Boys were found to be at a higher risk of experiencing gambling-related harm, with 80 percent of those exhibiting excessive or problem gambling behaviors being male. Excessive gambling was three times more prevalent among boys than girls, and problem gambling was over two and a half times more common among boys. These gender disparities emphasize the need for targeted interventions to address the specific vulnerabilities faced by young boys.
In response to the report’s findings, the IPH and TFRI advocated for a public health approach to tackle the issue of underage gambling. Dr. Helen McAvoy, the IPH director of policy, emphasized the need for interventions to reduce gambling harms, particularly among 16-year-olds who exhibit gambling rates similar to the European average. A public health approach would involve comprehensive strategies focusing on prevention, education, and support services for young individuals at risk.
The report’s findings prompted calls for stronger regulations to safeguard children and vulnerable citizens from the negative impacts of gambling. James Browne, the minister for state with responsibility for law reform and Youth Justice, expressed deep concern over the report’s revelations and highlighted ongoing legislative efforts to address the issue.
The Gambling Regulation Bill, a key commitment in the government’s Programme for Government and Justice Plan, aims to protect children by restricting gambling advertising and establishing measures to support those affected by problem gambling.
The Gambling Regulation Bill encompasses various measures to mitigate the harms associated with gambling. One crucial aspect of the proposed legislation is the prohibition of gambling advertising on television, radio, and online platforms between 5:30 am and 9:00 pm, known as the watershed.
Additionally, the bill introduces the establishment of the National Gambling Exclusion Register, which allows individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from gambling activities. Furthermore, the legislation includes the creation of a Social Impact Fund to finance research, awareness-raising initiatives, and problem gambling treatment activities.
The report also stressed the importance of ongoing research on children and gambling in Ireland. The IPH and TFRI recommended the inclusion of more focused approaches to protect children from gambling-related harm in national surveys. By collecting additional data and expanding the evidence base, policymakers and stakeholders can develop targeted interventions and measures to prevent underage gambling and support those affected.
