The Irish Psychiatric Association (IPA) has demanded an immediate prohibition on gambling promotions, citing a substantial amount of research linking it to a surge in problematic gambling.
The association, in releasing its “Stance on Gambling Disorder,” asserts that actions including an immediate comprehensive prohibition on advertising and the creation of specialized treatment routes are essential to address what it perceives as a public health emergency.
The IPA states that anecdotal information from addiction psychiatrists indicates a concerning increase in gambling disorder referrals during the COVID-19 lockdowns, due to isolation, increased opportunities to gamble while working remotely, and more focused online advertising.
Professor Colin O’Gara, the primary author of the document, stated: “We cannot continue to disregard the connection between problematic gambling and the current volume of gambling promotions – whether it’s conventional television advertisements, or on team uniforms and field-side banners. Gambling has become inherently linked to the enjoyment of sports. We are normalizing gambling.”
Similar to cigarettes, I believe that in a decade, we’ll reflect on the excessive gambling promotions in sports and entertainment and wonder how we allowed it to escalate. At present, gambling advertisements in Ireland are excessively frequent and, importantly, they appear prior to adult television program airtimes.
A recent research endeavor indicates that Ireland urgently requires addressing gambling-related issues through a diverse range of strategies, encompassing public education, legal frameworks, advertising regulations, and treatment services. The research was disseminated by the Department of Addiction Psychiatry at the College.
Ireland will introduce a novel gambling regulatory body in 2021, which will possess the authority to oversee advertising, gambling websites, and applications.
The CPI asserts that the publication of the research follows concerning data regarding youthful gambling patterns recently unveiled by ESPAD (European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs) in 2019, which revealed that Irish adolescents aged 16 were engaging in gambling at a considerably higher rate compared to other European nations.
The research indicated that 37% of 16-year-olds utilize slot machines, contrasting with a European average of 21%, and 61% participate in sports betting, contrasting with a European average of 45%.
Addressing the current anxieties, CPI chair Dr. William Flannery stated, “The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have been particularly severe for individuals grappling with gambling difficulties.”
The feeling of being alone, cut off, and having nothing to do are major factors that contribute to the growth and return of addiction. These are unfortunate consequences of the social distancing rules put in place since last March.
“Even without live sports, people are having a hard time avoiding things that make them want to gamble, with more online gambling ads and new betting sites popping up. We need to help people by having stricter rules and responsible gambling measures.”
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