Rutland Centre Calls for Regulation of the Gambling Industry and Funding for Treatment of Gambling Addiction
The Rutland Centre, Ireland’s largest independent addiction rehabilitation centre has called for the regulation of the gambling industry in Ireland and funding for gambling addiction treatment services.
The Rutland Centre treats approximately 400 people per year for addiction, including alcohol, drugs, sex, food and gambling addiction. Cases of gambling addiction presenting at the Rutland Centre have increased in the last three years to 9.5% from 7% in 2014/2015 and 3% in 2013.
Maebh Leahy, Chief Executive of the Rutland Centre said: “Gambling is very much an emerging but serious addiction in Ireland. Unlike other addictions, gambling can be a well-hidden addiction but the personal and social cost can be enormous. Traditionally it is men who have most commonly been affected by problem gambling but in recent years there is evidence to suggest that problem gambling is on the rise amongst women. We believe this is due to the increased access to online gambling and the active targeting of women by gambling organisations through websites and social media.”
Maebh continued: “The gambling industry in Ireland is worth billions of euro but is still largely unregulated. The Gambling Control Bill 2013 has still not been passed and meanwhile the gambling landscape is rapidly evolving with the growth of technology and online gambling.”
“We are all unfortunately too familiar with the destruction caused by alcohol harm in this country and we now need to recognise the scale of the gambling problem within our society and take immediate action to address it. I am calling on our new Health Minister and our newly appointed addiction experts to the Seanad to speak up for vulnerable people in this country by regulating the gambling industry and funding treatment before this addiction really takes hold.”
Established in 1978 the Rutland Centre is a registered charity based in South Dublin that has been providing independent addiction treatment services to people in Ireland for 38 years.