By Irishexaminer.com,Sean Murray

Copyright irishexaminer

“Whilst we are encouraged that numbers are increasing, it is still only a fraction of the people we know have gambling problems,” its CEO Jackie Murphy told an event in Dublin moderated by former GAA star Oisin McConville, who himself has spoken of his experience with problem gambling in the past.

“It’s only the tip of the iceberg in terms of people coming forward for treatment. Service providers need to be commended for the work they’re doing.”

The charity, which receives its funding from the gambling industry, uses these funds to support services around the country, including residential services, of which its funding provided for 250 people last year.

Margaret Nash, the manager of Bushypark Addiction Treatment Centre in Ennis, said there is a direct correlation between clients coming in for more than one issue, such as problems with cocaine and gambling.

She said while there has been a change in attitudes towards gambling, there is still a stigma attached to it for problem gamblers and their families.

“People are finding it difficult to come into treatment,” Ms Nash said. “Finding it very difficult to approach employers because people don’t trust when somebody is in recovery for gambling. We find people do not want it on their medical insurance that they had a gambling issue.”

The event heard that while men who are problem gamblers tend to bet more on sports, women in the same position tend to use casinos and play slot games either on their phone or in person.

It also heard that wraparound supports are often essential in supporting families coping with a loved one who has a gambling problem.

Of those in residential treatment, only 9% were women. However, the proportion of service users reaching out for help has risen from women at 19% in 2021 to 31% last year.

“It tells us that it’s so important we get more help in local communities,” Ms Murphy said. “When women are looking at getting treatment, there are a lot of factors that prohibit them. The more services we can get into local communities that are accessible for women the better.”

Charity funding

At the event, Ms Murphy also mounted a defence of the charity over its funding.

The newly-established Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland has been tasked with setting up a social impact fund to provide supports for treatment services around the country, and she said her organisation would work with this fund to secure funding for its services into the future.

“Because of where our funding comes from, there seems to be a belief it’s dirty or tainted in some way,” Ms Murphy said. “We have to change that. We accept and acknowledge we do get funding from the industry. They have no say or involvement in how that funding is dispersed.

“Whilst we do know our funding model will change when the regulator comes in, we look forward to working closely with whatever body is in place to administer the fund.”