Problem Gambling on the increase in Ireland

Gamblers Anonymous (GA) is seeing a rise in people seeking help for a gambling addiction as the recession bites harder. A spokesperson for GA said that there are several meetings everyday in Dublin alone and whereas last year there would be just a handful of people turning up, there could be anything up to 30 today.  The issue does not appear to be that gambling has increased but rather that folk can no longer afford it. Gambling on horses and dogs and in casinos is seen as an acceptable pastime in Ireland and because most punters prefer  to talk about their winning bets rather than their losing bets it is difficult to know how many people have a problem. It is believed that in excess of €3.6 billion was gambled in betting shops in 2008 but this is only slightly up from 2007 and it does not include wagers taken on course or internet betting. Head of Treatment services at The Rutland Centre, Austin Prior said they were also seeing a rise in the number of calls being received in relation to gambling. “While times were good most guys were able to keep a step ahead, but since the credit crunch is biting suddenly they have found they are in trouble”. He went on to suggest that even if a gambler is out and about buying rounds of drink and having a good time it could still be that his family is at home suffering which could of course lead to family breakdown. As we have said in previous articles, we would encourage anyone who has a problem to seek help. Maybe they have the answer in New Zealand where The Problem Gambling Foundation has created an annual “Gamble Free” day. Their problem is however that not too many New Zealanders know about it so it needs more publicity especially as “Gamble Free” day 2009 is tomorrow September 1^st.