Research indicates underestimation of problem gamblers in Ireland
Research suggests that Ireland may have more problem gamblers than previously thought, prompting the need for improved data collection and consumer protection measures
Research conducted by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) suggests that Ireland may be underestimating the number of problem gamblers in the country.
The ESRI believes that the current figure of 12,000 problem gamblers could be higher, with an additional 35,000 individuals at risk of developing gambling issues.
The research comes as Ireland prepares to introduce a new regulatory framework and establish the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI).
The GRAI will be responsible for supervising the gambling industry and implementing consumer protection measures.
The ESRI recommends improvements in data collection, understanding public attitudes towards gambling, and examining the impact of marketing techniques on consumers to effectively address problem gambling.