Ireland told to improve research & understanding of problem gambling 

The government of Ireland has been warned that it currently lacks the capacity to research problem gambling and its societal impacts, as dynamics that will be tested by the launch of a new Irish gambling market in 2023. 

New research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) reveals that this issue “could be larger than initial estimates” and should be a main priority during the creation of a new regulatory body, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI).

The study was commissioned to offer evidence-based research that will inform the public policy debate and decision-making surrounding the governance of gambling.

A previous estimate suggested that approximately 0.3% of the Irish population (roughly 12,000 individuals) have problem gambling issues, with an additional 0.9% (about 35,000 people) classified as “at risk”.

However, the ESRI report highlighted that these figures are likely to have been underestimated due to inherent biases in survey design and response. 

“We need to know the extent of the issue and how it is impacting people’s lives. We have commissioned the ESRI to conduct a second study focused on measuring the extent of problem gambling,” said Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO Designate of the GRAI.

Caulfield asserted that the “critical function” of the GRAI will be to create greater awareness of problem gambling and provide necessary treatment and support services to those in need. 

The ESRI review discovered several significant factors associated with problem gambling. It found that the societal burden of harm from problem gambling is substantial, often caused by people with “less severe issues”. 

Men and younger individuals from “disadvantaged backgrounds” were identified as being at the greatest risk of problem gambling harm, with those affected by addiction and other mental health issues also at risk. This is a trend that has been witnessed across a number of international markets.

Problem gambling was found to be more prevalent among players engaged in high-frequency gambling activities such as interactive online gambling, casino gambling, and electronic gaming machines. The review also found strong evidence that gambling advertising boosts gambling activity, and complex bets can induce players to spend more. 

The research went on to scrutinise the advertising methods used in the industry. It found that exposure to gambling advertising increases gambling behaviour, and responsible gambling messaging has proven ineffective. 

There were also concerns raised about the targeted advertising at specific demographics, the offering of financial incentives to gamble, and the increasingly interactive nature of gambling advertising.

On youth protection, the report found that certain online activities popular among young people and minors could serve as gateways to real gambling. These include social casino games and ‘loot box’ purchasing in video games, which mimic gambling but remain largely unregulated. 

The report highlighted a series of research gaps that need to be addressed to inform policy in Ireland. These include the underestimation of problem gambling prevalence, the limited survey evidence on public attitudes towards gambling, and a lack of understanding of the effects of different marketing techniques. The ESRI has encouraged further exploration of these gaps and the implementation of behavioural audits on marketing techniques used in Ireland.

“Policy would benefit from behavioural audits of marketing techniques used in Ireland,” the report stated, underlining the urgency for better data access from the industry and more research focused on social casino games, loot boxes, and several other issues relevant particularly for young people. 

The GRAI is set to be fully operational by Autumn 2023 and its work, informed by ESRI research and other studies, is expected to bring significant changes to the industry landscape in the country.

It’s clear that while the gambling industry continues to grow, it must do so responsibly, and that requires a greater understanding and addressing of problem gambling in Ireland.