A recent study conducted by Ireland’s Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) said that more than 130,000 Irish people either suffer from problem gambling or are at risk to.
What was implied by the ESRI was that the problem starts with unregulated social casino games. Those online games that are played without real money can be associated with problem gambling and may act as a gateway to real gambling and problem gambling.
“The international evidence on problem gambling points to the need for greater action to address gambling-related harms,” it concludes.
Based on survey data, 0.3 percent of the population (about 12,000 people) are estimated to suffer from problem gambling, it says. A further 0.9 per cent (35,000 people) are at moderate risk, and 2.3 per cent (90,000) are at low risk.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland commissioned the report by the ESRI, who concluded that the figures are probably underestimated. The review further suggested that widely targeted interventions and policies may be appropriate. Before the policy has been to target only those with the most severe problem gambling.
Gambling advertising may play a role in fueling problem gambling. Constant exposure to ads increases gambling behavior, the report states.
The Irish government began to address the issue of gambling advertising last year when they instituted the Gambling Regulation Bill. That law, which will go into effect by the end of the year, puts a total ban on gambling advertising on social media. There will be criminal sanctions for gambling companies who fail to protect children and vulnerable those vulnerable to problem gambling.
The ESRI report also gave advice on effective measures that can be taken to protect people from problem gambling. Limit-setting tools and personalized feedback were two of the suggestions given in reducing harmful behavior.
