The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), in partnership with the government support agency Pobal, has published a significant report detailing the findings from its National Stakeholder Consultation on gambling-related harm.
The comprehensive consultation was conducted to inform the strategic direction of Ireland’s newly established Social Impact Fund, which will be financed by licensed gambling operators.
Drawing on input from over 200 stakeholders, including individuals with lived experience of gambling addiction, their families, treatment providers, and researchers, the report underscores the scale of the issue and calls for systemic change.
The findings revealed that over 80% of questionnaire respondents reported that their gambling had led to significant financial difficulties.
A strong consensus emerged among stakeholders that major barriers such as social stigma, limited public awareness of available services, and unclear referral pathways are preventing individuals from seeking help in a timely manner.
While the GRAI report acknowledges that valuable support services currently exist, it highlights that they are critically under-resourced and unevenly distributed across the country.
Participants frequently stressed the absence of a unified national framework and a coordinated infrastructure to respond effectively to gambling-related harm. One focus group participant highlighted a key preventative tool that was missing.
Self-exclusion was absolutely missing at the time but hugely important for reducing harm.
The consultation identified several priority areas for investment from the new Social Impact Fund. These include the development of robust public awareness and prevention campaigns, ensuring timely access to professional treatment and counselling, providing consistent aftercare, and building stronger support networks for families and peers.
This report marks the first crucial stage in developing the Fund’s investment strategy, with a broader public consultation set to follow.
