A new report has found that children as young as nine are gambling in Ireland.
The study by UCD identifies that 86% of people gambling in Ireland are men, with up to 40,000 people currently addicted to gambling.
The 'Playing Social Roulette: The Impact of Gambling on Individuals and Society in Ireland
' report is calling for a National Gambling Strategy, including new laws to stop the growth of problem gambling.
Dr Crystal Fulton – a senior lecturer at the school of Information and Library Studies at UCD – said that for young people, it starts with children being exposed to gambling at home.
"Maybe they're picking up Lotto ticket winnings for a family member," she said.
"By their early teens they're having a gambling experience, so they're actually gambling, not just exposed to gambling.
"And then from there, over a period of years, it intensifies. For those who have a problem, that's the course of events, and then they have an issue."
The report stated that initial gambling participation might also involve betting for pennies, e.g., on card games, coin tossing, the “odd pound” in a poker machine, placing bets for a relative, a bet on the Grand National horse race, etc.
Speaking at the launch of the report today, Tánaiste Joan Burton said: "I am very concerned about the social impact of gambling, given that we have a gambling culture in Ireland. Gambling pervades many aspects of Irish life, particularly sporting events.
"The negative effects on young people growing up in this gambling culture are a particular worry. One of the most profound impacts of problem gambling is on families who have to cope with the devastation and stress, compounded by having to deal with serious financial problems.
"Another alarming finding that the study highlights is the connection between problem gambling and people gambling at a young age."
The Gaming & Leisure Association of Ireland (GLAI) said today that it welcomed the publication of the study.
Commenting on the publication, David Hickson, director of the GLAI, stated: "Today’s research highlights the consequences of allowing the gambling industry to operate in an unregulated environment that holds no player protection requirements.
"The GLAI have been calling for a passage of the Gambling Control Bill since Government commenced drafting it in 2013.
"While the Tánaiste’s involvement in today’s study is welcomed, in the absence of any progress on regulation we fear such involvement only pays lip-service to a matter of national urgency.
“We strongly agree with the recognition that 'the passage and implementation of updated gambling legislation are essential'.
“Our research, as presented to the Government last month, shows that up to €222.5m would be generated annually through the passage of the proper regulation.
“Taking both the clear economic and societal benefits of regulation into account, regulation cannot be allowed to fall off the Government’s radar”.
The study by UCD identifies that 86% of people gambling in Ireland are men, with up to 40,000 people currently addicted to gambling.
The 'Playing Social Roulette: The Impact of Gambling on Individuals and Society in Ireland
' report is calling for a National Gambling Strategy, including new laws to stop the growth of problem gambling.
Dr Crystal Fulton – a senior lecturer at the school of Information and Library Studies at UCD – said that for young people, it starts with children being exposed to gambling at home.
"Maybe they're picking up Lotto ticket winnings for a family member," she said.
"By their early teens they're having a gambling experience, so they're actually gambling, not just exposed to gambling.
"And then from there, over a period of years, it intensifies. For those who have a problem, that's the course of events, and then they have an issue."
The report stated that initial gambling participation might also involve betting for pennies, e.g., on card games, coin tossing, the “odd pound” in a poker machine, placing bets for a relative, a bet on the Grand National horse race, etc.
Speaking at the launch of the report today, Tánaiste Joan Burton said: "I am very concerned about the social impact of gambling, given that we have a gambling culture in Ireland. Gambling pervades many aspects of Irish life, particularly sporting events.
"The negative effects on young people growing up in this gambling culture are a particular worry. One of the most profound impacts of problem gambling is on families who have to cope with the devastation and stress, compounded by having to deal with serious financial problems.
"Another alarming finding that the study highlights is the connection between problem gambling and people gambling at a young age."
The Gaming & Leisure Association of Ireland (GLAI) said today that it welcomed the publication of the study.
Commenting on the publication, David Hickson, director of the GLAI, stated: "Today’s research highlights the consequences of allowing the gambling industry to operate in an unregulated environment that holds no player protection requirements.
"The GLAI have been calling for a passage of the Gambling Control Bill since Government commenced drafting it in 2013.
"While the Tánaiste’s involvement in today’s study is welcomed, in the absence of any progress on regulation we fear such involvement only pays lip-service to a matter of national urgency.
“We strongly agree with the recognition that 'the passage and implementation of updated gambling legislation are essential'.
“Our research, as presented to the Government last month, shows that up to €222.5m would be generated annually through the passage of the proper regulation.
“Taking both the clear economic and societal benefits of regulation into account, regulation cannot be allowed to fall off the Government’s radar”.
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