Problem gamblers urged to avail of new supports in Limerick villages

A NEW low-cost support service for those with gambling problems has been launched in County Limerick.

According to recent research conducted by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), 9.3% of young people (aged 17-20) have taken part in online gambling with 7.2% of them are ‘regularly’ gambling.

Limerick-based psychotherapist, Brenda O’Keeffe, says gambling has now become a social norm.

She was speaking ahead of the launch of a three-year pilot scheme which will see supports being made available in Croom and Hospital.

“It’s very easy for young people to get hooked on gambling nowadays,” said Brenda, who works with both Hospital and Croom Family Resource Centres.

Brenda, a trained psychotherapist also has a small private practice in Limerick city. “Young people have grown up watching Premier League matches, supporting Liverpool or Man United and seeing a stream of gambling ads on the television.

“It’s very easy to set up an online account and there are incentives such as a free one-off bet or a free spin on a virtual roulette wheel to encourage people to set up their betting accounts,” she added.

According to the Gambling Awareness Trust (GAT) and the ESRI, gambling addictions are constantly on the rise and, according to Brenda, this is due to it being a socially acceptable hobby.

Children’s Grief Centre to move into new Limerick home following €3.5m investment

The low-cost gambling support service, the National Problem Gambling Support Service, is available from the Hospital and Croom Family Resource Centres.

Those with gambling addictions and those who are affected by the gambling addiction of someone close to them can avail of the service.

The support service is being funded by GAT - an independent charity set up to fund education, research and treatment to reduce gambling harm in Ireland.

Brenda insists she doesn’t want to spoil people’s fun with gambling but says more awareness is needed.

“Alcohol support systems have a 30-year head start on gambling services. People are aware of alcohol addictions and other substances. There isn’t as much awareness around gambling addictions which also destroy lives,” she mentioned.

Gambling addictions are often more secretive than drugs and alcohol according to Brenda.

“People are very slow to come forward about gambling problems due to it being a more secretive addiction. It can go on a long time without anyone knowing,” Brenda said.

Because of this, Brenda says the gambling support service which is now being offered has expanded to try and raise awareness and highlight the fact that there is gambling out there and causes a lot of harm.

It’s also important, according to Brenda, for family members affected by someone close to them gambling to come forward for help as they will then, in turn, be able to help the person with the gambling addiction.

Those looking for help can email bokeeffe@hospitalfrc.com