Gambling should be something that can be undertaken without creating problems for the person gambling or their loved ones. While the majority of people in Ireland who gamble do so safely, it is estimated that, among those who gamble, there are approximately 130,000 adults with a gambling problem in the country. It is estimated that, for every one problem gambler, the lives of seven other people are affected.
Problem gambling is defined as an addiction to gambling, resulting in an uncontrollable urge to gamble without regard for its impact on a person’s own life or on the lives of their family. Problem gambling is closely associated with substance abuse, unemployment, and deprivation.
A critical function of the new Gambling Regulatory Authority will be to create greater awareness of the issue and the supports available to those that need assistance.
The Authority will support public awareness of problem gambling and establish a set of standards for gambling products and services.
The Authority will monitor and enforce obligations on licensees in relation to advertising and child protection.
The Authority will establish and maintain a National Gambling Exclusion Register. This will allow people to register with the Authority to exclude themselves from gambling online with licensees.
A Social Impact Fund will be established, to which licensees will be legally required to contribute. The fund will finance research, education, and awareness programmes to support problem gambling treatments.
To minimise the effects of problem gambling:
If you think gambling is affecting your job, our family or your relationships, support services are available nationwide to help you.
Here you will see an interactive map showing publically available treatment options interactive map for gambling treatment services
Details of general services both public and private can be found here. It is also intended that an Exclusion Register will be operated by the Authority, allowing problem gamblers to exclude themselves from gambling online with licensees.
Problem gambling can significantly impact a person’s life, from their health and finances to their relationships. In the past, gambling only occurred in person. Today, it takes many forms, with people easily betting and gaming online. While problem gambling can be challenging to manage, you can break the cycle
Problem gambling can affect everyone from teenagers to adults. It is estimated over 130,000 people in Ireland suffer with Problem Gambling. This disorder’s leading characteristic is an overpowering urge to gamble, no matter the consequences. Many problem gamblers experience financial difficulties, failed relationships and poor health outcomes.
While addiction is a complex condition, there are many treatment options to help you overcome it and regain control of your life.
Accepting that you are struggling with problem gambling is the first step in managing it. If you recognise the signs and symptoms, you can work on modifying the behaviour and seek help and support.
Some of the behaviours associated with Problem Gambling
• Increased craving for gambling
• Reliving and romanticising gambling experiences
• Using gambling to escape negative emotions
• Feeling guilty or remorseful after gambling
• Needing financial support
• Failed past attempts to stop gambling
• Taking more and more risk in betting
There are also a few social problems associated with gambling, including lying about your activities or borrowing or stealing money to support your habit. As soon as you recognise these signs, you should seek help. Additionally, you might can seek an assessment from a professional who can help you address the issue.
To address problem gambling it helps to recognise your triggers. Triggers can be any situations, thoughts, feelings or behaviours that make you want to gamble.
For instance, being around friends with the same habits triggers many problem gamblers. Additionally, you might be more likely to gamble when you are under the influence, since drinking can lower your inhibitions. Those with even moderate levels of problem gambling are at an increased risk of developing a substance use disorder, which can arise from the same stressors.
To identify your triggers, you might start by documenting them in a journal. You can include the type of gambling, time spent and the amount of money you lost. Next, write down the thoughts, feelings and situations that occurred before and during the gambling session to understand what caused the craving. Take the PGSI (Problem Gambling Severity Index) (see below)
The urge to gamble can be intense, and while you’re experiencing it, you might feel like it will last forever. However, these feelings will pass. Paying attention to your emotional wellness can help you regain control over them and build resilience against pathological gambling.
If you have increased cravings to gamble, take a second to record the following.
• Thoughts: You might get preoccupied with daydreams of gambling and reliving past moments.
• Feelings: Perhaps you’re feeling bored or stressed about something, leading to cravings.
• Coping techniques: There are specific ways you can learn how to cope with gambling, such as postponing the activity or distracting yourself with a hobby.
Do negative feelings like depression or stress cause you to gamble? In this case, an excellent coping mechanism might be to attend therapy or discuss your emotions with a trusted friend or family member. Contact one of the many facilities in Ireland that offer support here.
Steering clear of high-risk situations is essential when trying to stop your gambling. It’s also helpful to prevent isolation. Instead of spending hours playing online poker, you might call family members or friends to meet for coffee. Or, you could distract yourself with an activity like watching a movie, practicing mindfulness exercises like deep breathing or going to the gym.
It can be challenging to avoid cravings if you find yourself near a bookmaker’s or arcade or around triggers that might cause you to gamble.
Try the following techniques to prevent high-risk situations:
• Stay away from retail betting establishments and online gambling sites.
• Cancel your credit cards.
• Don’t take out loans.
• Never carry large amounts of cash with you.
• Delete gambling apps from your smartphone and other devices.
• Avoid the people, places and activities you associate with gambling.
Avoiding your triggers can help prevent any thoughts or emotions from arising that encourage gambling.
It also helps to challenge negative thinking habits, such as the illusion of control, irrational beliefs and the gambler’s fallacy. These unhealthy thought patterns can increase compulsive gambling, but you can reduce them by identifying and altering them.
• Gambler’s fallacy: The gambler’s fallacy is when you believe a random incident is less likely to occur due to a prior event. For instance, a person might think their chances of losing a game are lower if they just lost, and that their next attempt will be a winner. However, the odds are identical.
• Superstitious thinking: Superstitious beliefs are also common among those who gamble. You might think random occurrences have meaning. For example, if you’re betting in keno, you might pick a number you believe is lucky and place your money on that. Remind yourself that superstitious thinking arises from sheer coincidence, and luck has nothing to do with it.
• The illusion of control: This false thought pattern is typical in problem gamblers. It is the belief that you can control the outcome of any game. To prevent this thought, remind yourself that no technique or trick can change what happens, whether you’re gambling online, playing cards, betting on a sports game or sitting at a slot machine. Each bet or decision is random, and the results are out of your control.
Delaying the decision to gamble allows time for cravings to pass so you can be more in control.
Try the following next time you have the urge to gamble:
• Relax and focus on staying calm.
• Take deep breaths to slow down and quiet your thoughts.
• Distract yourself with an activity
A gambling disorder can lead to several adverse outcomes, from draining your finances to destroying close relationships.
When you think about how gambling has affected your past, you can make strides to avoid it in the future. You might consider your financial hardships, the loved ones you’ve harmed and the strain gambling has on your physical and mental health. Calculate the money and time you’ve spent gambling and think about better ways you could spend those.
At the same time, consider all the positives of overcoming problem gambling. Imagine the better ways you could spend your money and how finding a more practical outlet for your stressors can improve your mental health. Set goals you can achieve to stop gambling and reasons behind them, such as making your family proud, having more money to put toward a holiday or being able to pay bills.
Try not to dwell too much on the past — instead, let it motivate you to change and grow. Be kind and patient with yourself as you work to overcome problem gambling.
The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) is a brief, 9-item, self-report measure of problematic gambling behaviours in the general population (Ferris & Wynne, 2001). The PGSI is able to identify different subgroups of problem gamblers with different levels of risk status (none, low, moderate, and problematic).
The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) is a reliable and standardised measure of at-risk behaviour in problem gambling. Take the test truthfully and see if your gambling is a problem here
Score:
0-2 - Low Risk Problem Gambler
3-7 - Moderate Risk Problem Gambler
8 or more - High Risk Problem Gambler - advise you seek assistance
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You can block tweets from individual gambling companies. Click the down arrow and look for the option to "Block @..."
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On this page, you can de-select interests which might be a cause for more gambling-related content - one of which is potentially "gambling" but also un-ticking sport related interests.
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Users can:
• Block specific advertisers
This feature exists on Google Search, Maps, YouTube and gMail when you are signed into your Google account. This will allow users to block advertisements such as gambling
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For other display ads that appear when users are on other websites, users can choose to ‘mute the ad’. This will stop other ads very similar to it that have been purchased by the same advertiser, as well as other ads from the same advertiser that uses the same web url.
Gambling blocks with banks are an effective tool, particularly when combined with self-exclusion and gambling blocking software.
Bank gambling blocks work by blocking transactions that are categorised as gambling – whether you’re gambling online or at a physical venue.
Bank gambling blocks allow for an extra layer of safe guards to help stop yourself from gambling. It is an important tool that can support your gambling recovery and is best used alongside blocking software and self-exclusion schemes to increase protection.
You can set up a gambling block in your mobile banking app, by calling your bank or by visiting your local branch. Some banks refer to the gambling blocks as ‘card freezes’ or ‘gambling restrictions’.
Some details on banking operators currently offering gambling restrictions...
AIB customers requesting the gambling block can call the AIB Additional Support Helpline on 0818 227 056 from 9am to 5pm on weekdays excluding bank holidays.
EBS, (part of the AIB group) Customers can contact EBS on 0818 300 107 from 9am to 5pm on weekdays regarding gambling blocks.
From the 'Home' screen, tap your profile icon on the top-left corner
Tap 'Security'
Select 'Gambling block'
Toggle 'Gambling block' on (or off)
Tap 'Yes' to confirm.