Ireland: The College of Psychiatrists calls for gambling advertisement ban

Content Team 3 years ago
Ireland: The College of Psychiatrists calls for gambling advertisement ban

The College of Psychiatrists has launched the ‘Gambling Disorder’ paper, banning gambling advertisements from sports

The College of Psychiatrists, CPI, has decided to take a stance against gambling advertisements, especially in sports, by launching the “Gambling Disorder” paper during the festive season. This paper will impose a complete ban on gambling ads in sports in a bid to tackle the ever-growing gambling problem in Ireland.  

The Irish body has declared that tackling this problem is of great importance as it is now considered a public health crisis. The reason for such a crackdown, according to the CPI, is due to the direct correlation between high volume betting ads and increasing gambling problems 

The newly published “Gambling Disorder” paper highlights the need to tackle gambling disorder urgently through: 

  1. Public Education 
  2. Legislation – Gambling Control Bill 
  3. Advertising Controls 
  4. Treatment Services 
  5. Research into Problem Gambling 

Colin OGara

Gambling disorders is considered a crisis within public health and need to be tackled as soon as possible. Ireland also have stalled their progress on regulation advertising standards and Professor Colin O’Gara (right), a Consultant Addictions Psychiatrist specialising in gambling addiction and lead author, stated:  

 

We cannot continue to ignore the links between problem gambling and the current high volume of betting ads – be that in traditional TV ads or on team jerseys and side-line banners. Betting has become strongly linked with the enjoyment of sports. We are normalising gambling as a behaviour. 

Much like tobacco, in ten years I think we will look back on the proliferation of gambling advertising in sport and entertainment and ask ourselves how we let it get so out of control. Currently gambling advertising in Ireland is much too common and, critically, occurs before the adult television watershed.

The pandemic has certainly strained any resilience against problem gambling and has also made it harder for individuals to battle against their Dr William Flanneryaddiction, continue recovery or avoid any relapse, as President of the CPI, Dr. William Flannery (left) says: 

“The impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic have been felt harshly by those struggling with problem gambling. Key drivers in the development and relapse of an addiction include loneliness, isolation and boredom – all unfortunate side effects of the necessary social distancing restrictions put in place to stop the spread of the virus since last March.” 

Therefore, the CPI President feels that even without live sports, people are struggling to avoid these triggers which will entice them to gamble again. Additionally, there is an increase in online gambling ads and new betting platforms are being introduced, which are all contributing to the overall problem. 

 

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