An event highlighting the impact of gambling addiction has taken place in Dublin today.
Recent figures from the ESRI show around seven percent of adults are displaying signs of problem gambling, with campaigners warning families are often the ones most affected.
Today’s event brought together treatment providers, policy makers and those with lived experience to call for more accessible supports.
Gambling Care Ambassador and All-Ireland winner Oisín McConville, says the statistics alone show why action is needed.
"My life, like so many who’ve been affected by problem gambling, was very nearly torn apart. At my worst, I’d travel town to town to place bets on a daily basis in hope I could hide it and ended up owing a huge sum of money with no way to pay it back. Even while I was playing in big matches, I had one eye looking over my shoulder.
“The residential treatment I received truly turned my life around and I’ve tried ever since to pay that back by advocating for services and raising awareness, particularly amongst people like myself who maybe got into gambling at a young age as a social activity with teammates and wind up in a difficult position with no idea who to turn to.
"Seeing first-hand today the incredible people working in this space in Ireland is inspiring and, very simply, we must make sure these services are protected at all costs and given the support they need to help the thousands more every year who need support. Gambling Care does a remarkable job of raising awareness and giving people who might otherwise feel lost the direction and tools they need to overcome their gambling problems.”
