Gambling Addiction in Ireland: Hidden, Harmful & Healable
A Quiet Epidemic
Gambling addiction is one of the most insidious yet least understood forms of addiction in Ireland. Often silent and hidden, sufferers can present as high-functioning in public while wrestling with compulsion in private. As one ICHAS article puts it:
“Gambling addiction … remains shrouded in secrecy and shame, preventing many individuals from seeking help.” (ICHAS)
And the data bears this out: recent research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) estimates that around 130,000 adults in Ireland suffer from problem gambling, with a further 279,000 showing moderate signs of addiction (The Times ,The Sun).
The Stakes Are Raising: Vulnerable Groups Impacted
Alarmingly, gambling often begins in childhood. ICHAS lecturer Dr James Kinane highlights that gambling frequently starts “before the age of 10,” with only 14 % of compulsive gamblers beginning after age 19 (ICHAS). That early onset explains why, in some younger cohorts, gambling has become as prevalent—if not more—as drug or alcohol addiction.
Moreover, associated harms are substantial:
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Compulsive gamblers are twice as likely to be depressed, and up to 15× more likely to attempt suicide (ICHAS).
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Comorbid addictions (such as substance misuse or nicotine dependence) are common—for instance, some studies cite that 70 % of gamblers are daily smokers, and 15 % have a drug use disorder (ICHAS).
Evolving Policy: Regulation & Prevention
Ireland is stepping up with legislative and policy responses. The new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, led by Anne Marie Caulfield, is rolling out significant reforms, including:
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Banning gambling ads on TV and online between 5:30 am and 9 pm
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Ending online inducements like free bets
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Requiring licensing for all gambling operators
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Establishing a Social Impact Fund—funded via gambling industry levies—to support treatment, education, and research
These measures aim to protect vulnerable individuals—particularly children—from aggressive marketing techniques that prime them for addiction
Counselling & Psychotherapy: The Role of Evidence-Based Intervention
When it comes to recovery, evidence-based approaches are vital. ICHAS’s Postgraduate Certificate in Addiction Studies (Gambling) equips professionals with the tools needed to support individuals effectively.
Course Highlights:
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Theoretical foundations and practice, focusing on gambling addiction principles and recovery models (ICHAS)
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A 30 ECTS, 12-week online and in-person blended course, featuring modules such as:
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Contemporary Evidence-Based Interventions in Addiction Recovery (10 ECTS)
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Comorbidity & Trauma-Informed Care (5 ECTS)
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The Recovery Model in Addiction (5 ECTS)
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Gambling Addiction & the Recovery Model (10 ECTS) (ICHAS)
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Delivered by ICHAS, with QQI-validated certification respected in Ireland and internationally (ICHAS)
Through this course, counsellors gain competencies in promoting prevention, recovery, and social justice for clients and communities affected by gambling addiction—and are supported in professional leadership and advocacy roles
From Theory to Practice: Placements and Supports
ICHAS students also benefit from practical placements like those at the Saoirse Addiction Treatment Centre, which offers free treatment for gambling addiction, including family and self-referral programmes (ICHAS).
Moreover, ICHAS fosters student wellbeing—practice placements are emotionally demanding, and many students find it essential to engage in personal therapy during placement (ICHAS).
Broader Landscape & Peer Insights
Support systems beyond formal counselling play a key role too. Peer-led groups like Gamblers Anonymous (GA) offer a twelve-step mutual support model, though their effectiveness can vary—especially for severe cases where additional therapy is needed. Clinical methods like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) are also widely employed to address distorted thinking and manage relapse triggers.
On a digital inclusion note, tools such as self-exclusion programs (like BetStop or GamStop) and features encouraging responsible gambling—like deposit limits, reality checks, and time-outs—are integral to modern prevention strategies
Voices from the Ground
Real-world experiences highlight the urgency:
“I’ve suffered from gambling addiction … there is no law requiring casinos to have self-exclusion programs! … there are no counselling or support services for problem gamblers which are government funded.” Reddit
Another user reflects on the cultural normalisation of betting, especially in rural environments where bookies and pubs co-exist closely:
“It’s rampant in rural towns … lives are being destroyed by gambling.” Reddit
These testimonies underscore both the need for legal reform and the significance of accessible, effective therapeutic support.
Final Thoughts
Gambling addiction in Ireland is both pervasive and under-recognised. Yet with its insidious onset and links to mental health, the need for specialised training and compassionate care has never been clearer.
The ICHAS Postgraduate Certificate in Addiction Studies (Gambling) offers mental health professionals a pathway to deepen their practice, contribute to meaningful change, and support individuals and families moving toward recovery.
As Ireland tightens its regulatory net and awareness begins to shift, the time is ripe for empowered, evidence-based counselling to take centre stage.
