Gambling

Gambling-related harms are the adverse impacts from gambling on the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, and the wider community.

These harms can include financial difficulties, mental health issues, relationship problems, addiction, crime and loss of life through suicide.

Why is gambling a public health issue?

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) classifies gambling and gaming disorders as addictive behaviours. Gambling-related harm is not limited to the individual who gambles but can impact their family and community and lead to financial difficulties, mental health issues, relationship problems, and addiction.

Policies and regulations have the potential to limit the accessibility and promotion of gambling products and prevent vulnerable populations, such as children and people with gambling problems, from being harmed.

The recently launched Lancet series on the commercial determinants of health, supported by the World Health Organization, highlighted gambling as one of several commercial products that have negative impacts on health.

Support Services

If you, or a loved one, are affected by gambling, the following supports and services are available:

Ireland: Contact Gamblers Anonymous or Extern Problem Gambling.
Northern Ireland: Contact Gamblers Anonymous UK.

Key Facts: Gambling

For every 1 person with a gambling problem, 6 people are adversely affected

Ireland: There are an estimated 12,000 problem gamblers and 35,000 moderate-risk gamblers in Ireland (HRB 2022)

Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland has the highest rate of problem gambling in the UK

Ireland: Policy, Strategy, Legislation

In Ireland, work is ongoing to review gambling legislation and establish a Gambling Regulatory Authority.

Department of Justice Statement of Strategy 2021 – 2023

Gambling Regulation Bill 2022

A new Gambling Regulatory Authority is being established in 2023

Northern Ireland: Policy, Strategy, Legislation

In Northern Ireland, gambling regulations and codes of practice are under review.

Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Act

Gambling Codes of Practice in Northern Ireland

This short video summarises the key takeaway messages from the webinar launch of the "Children and gambling – evidence to inform regulation and responses in Ireland" report.

Recent work on gambling

IPH uses emerging evidence and data to develop policy briefs and submissions for Government Departments and Committees to inform public policy in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Institute recently made submissions on proposals to review laws governing gambling in both jurisdictions and continues to engage with government Departments and agencies on this public health issue.

Members of our policy team recently presented evidence to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice on the General Scheme of the Gambling Regulation Bill and attended an inquiry into public health approaches to gambling-related harms hosted by the All Party Group on Reducing Harm Related to Gambling in Northern Ireland.

IPH recently published a report and analysis of data from the European Survey Project on Alcohol and Drugs (ESPAD) on gambling behaviours and harms among 16‐year‐olds in Ireland.

Read a 2023 summary of our work and activity on gambling here.