Press release
Minister of State James Browne welcomes ESRI research on Problem Gambling
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister of State with responsibility for Law Reform, James Browne, has welcomed the publication today of research on problem gambling.
Measures of problem gambling, gambling behaviours and perceptions of gambling in Ireland, was carried out by the Economic and Social Research Institute’s Behavioural Research Unit.
The study was commissioned through the Implementation Team supporting the establishment of a new independent statutory body called Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland.
The review records that 3.3% of the adult population in Ireland, or 130,000 people, are people with problem gambling, a figure that is ten times higher than previous estimates.
Furthermore, the research finds that an additional 7.1% of the adult population, or 279,000 people, show moderate evidence of problem gambling and a further 15%, or 590,000 people, who report at least some problematic experiences or behaviours in relation to gambling.
It should be noted, the researchers point out that their study is more likely to have underestimated the prevalence of problem gambling than have overestimated it.
The research also finds that people with problem gambling, on average, spend more than €1,000 per month on gambling, accounting for 28 per cent of total spending on gambling.
The research concludes that nearly half of the gambling industry’s revenue in Ireland is generated from people experiencing multiple negative effects from gambling.
Minister Browne said:
“The findings of the ESRI’s latest research on problem gambling further underscores the necessity to recognise and meaningfully confront problem gambling and the harms it causes.
“Reform of gambling legislation, licensing and regulation is a priority for the government and my department.
“The Gambling Regulation Bill 2022, is, at its core, a public health measure aimed at protecting citizens from gambling harm, including younger people and those more vulnerable in our communities. The ESRI’s most recent research and the Institute’s Literature Review on problem gambling, published in June 2023, serve to illustrate the timeliness of the Bill and its relevance to today’s society.
“I expect that the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 will complete its journey through the Oireachtas in the coming months, subject to the cooperation of both Houses.
“The Bill sets out the framework and legislative basis for the establishment of a new, independent statutory body called Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann (the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland) and for a robust regulatory and licensing regime to regulate gambling in-person and online, and for the regulation of gambling advertising, websites and apps.
“The legislation provides for the establishment and operation of the National Gambling Exclusion Register and introduces tight restrictions on the advertisement of gambling activities, as unanimously recommended by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice and adopted by the Cabinet. This measure will assist in protecting vulnerable people in our society, particularly children, from exposure to excessive gambling advertising and the harms of problem gambling.
“The Bill also introduces a number of additional measures to protect people who participate in gambling and provides for the creation of a Social Impact Fund, which will be used to finance research and related initiatives to address problem gambling behaviours, to support awareness–raising and educational measures and to support problem gambling treatment activities.
“Ms Anne Marie Caulfield was appointed CEO Designate of the Authority and her ongoing preparatory work, in tandem with the passage of the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022, will ensure that the Authority will be in a position to commence its work once the legislation is commenced and the members of the Authority are appointed.”
The ESRI’s research also found that:
1. The full research paper is published as Measures of problem gambling, gambling behaviours and perceptions of gambling in Ireland, by Diarmaid O’Ceallaigh, Shane Timmons, Deirdre Roberston and Pete Lunn, in the ESRI’s Research Series. It follows the publication in June 2023 of the ESRI’s Problem Gambling: a narrative review of important policy-relevant issues, which was also commissioned by the Department of Justice’s Implementation Team supporting the establishment of Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland.
2. The ESRI’s Behavioural Research Unit is a team of behavioural economists and psychologists that specialises in undertaking behavioural experiments for policy. More of its work can be found at www.esri.ie/bru.
3. As set out in the Measures of problem gambling research paper, the term ‘problem gambling’ is used to describe gambling behaviour that is disruptive or damaging to individuals but which may fall short of a clinical diagnosis of ‘gambling disorder’.
4. The Programme for Government includes a clear commitment to reform gambling legislation, with a focus on public safety and well-being. The Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 was approved by Cabinet and published in December last year. The Bill passed Second Stage in the Dáil in December 2022.
5. The Bill provides for the establishment and operation of the National Gambling Exclusion Register. Any adult will be able to register with the Authority to exclude themselves from gambling online with one or more licensed operators, or from specific gambling activities, for a specific or indefinite period of time.
6. The Bill will also introduce tight restrictions on the advertisement of gambling activities aimed particularly at protecting children and vulnerable people from the harms of problem gambling. Gambling advertisements on television and radio will be banned between 5:30am to 9pm. The Bill will also prohibit, by default, gambling advertising on on-demand audio-visual media services or by any other means of electronic communication, including social media. Gambling advertising intended to appeal to children will be prohibited, as will advertising that promotes excessive or compulsive gambling.
7. Other protective measures included in the Bill include a prohibition on gambling payments by credit card and the offer of credit facilities to customers.
8. The Bill also provides for the creation of a Social Impact Fund. This fund will be used to finance research and related initiatives to address problem gambling behaviours, to support awareness–raising and educational measures and to support problem gambling treatment activities. The Fund will be funded by mandatory contributions, calculated annually based on the turnover of gambling licensees.