In a recent study conducted by the ESRI (Economic and Social Research Institute), Ireland has been confronted with a startling revelation: the country is grappling with a far more severe gambling problem than previously believed. The research highlights that problem gamblers in Ireland are spending an astonishing €1,000 or more per month on their addiction, constituting a staggering 28% of their total expenditure.
The study, titled “Measures of problem gambling, gambling behaviors and perceptions of gambling in Ireland,” commissioned to support the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, uncovered that a shocking 3.3% of the adult population, equivalent to 130,000 individuals, are classified as problem gamblers. This figure is a shocking ten times higher than previous estimates. Additionally, 7.1% (279,000 people) exhibit “moderate evidence” of problem gambling, while an additional 590,000 individuals report experiencing problematic behaviors related to gambling.
Minister of State for Law Reform, James Browne, hailed the study as a crucial step in acknowledging and addressing the harmful impacts of problem gambling in Ireland. The findings underscore the urgent need to confront this issue and provide support for those affected.