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HEADSPACE & TIMING
HEADSPACE & TIMING
GAMBLING IS AN IRISH INSTITUTION!
Gambling has been a part of Irish life for as long as anyone
can recall. We all remember friends and relatives getting
excited about the one pound bet on the Grand National, or
visits to the greyhound track or the local racecourse. More
of us will recall the amusement arcades of our holidays, with
the one-armed bandits lined up in blinking noisy rows, ready
to relieve the young and the old of their stash of coins. This
paints a picture of gambling as a normal part of life, which
people enjoy in moderation, and which causes little or no
damage in our community.
The truth for some people however is very different! Gambling
can be a highly addictive activity and can cause serious
problems in all areas of our society. When someone has an
addiction to gambling that is left untreated, the effects on the
individual and family and friends can be catastrophic.
SO WHAT ARE THE FACTS ABOUT GAMBLING IN
IRELAND?
It may surprise you to know that over €5 Billion is gambled in
Ireland every year, which is €10,000 every single minute. 12%
of all Irish adults bet in a bookies shop every year, while 2%
of us bet online. The evidence is clear however that gambling
is moving more and more online. This makes it much more
difficult for us to recognise when someone we know or love
has a problem with gambling and may need our help. It is also
interesting to note that the Institute of Public Health believes
that problem gambling is almost 2-3 times more prevalent
among younger people than their older counterparts.
By Lt Col John Martin, PSS
Photos courtesy of www.freeimages.com
