The “huge and incessant bombardment” of gambling advertisements during the recent Cheltenham races has “reiterated the need” for a full ban on such ads.
This is the view of Labour Galway City West councillor, Niall McNelis, who said such a ban is needed to “protect people from falling into a life of problem gambling and addiction”. The former mayor was speaking as Labour’s Gambling (Prohibition of Advertising ) Bill 2021 - which aims to regulate the advertising and sponsorship of gambling - was being debated in the Seanad this week.
Recently published research from the Health Research Board indicated that there are more than 12,000 problem gamblers in Ireland, and a further 125,000 people who are ‘at-risk’ gamblers. The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland have also highlighted a dramatic rise in gambling disorder referrals since the Covid lockdowns.
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As a result, Cllr McNelis [pictured above] is calling on the Government to fast track Labour’s Bill to ban the ads that target such ‘at-risk’ gamblers, and which young people are also exposed to.
“As well as the ads on TV, young people are bombarded with gambling ads on their phones through social media channels and the sheer volume of these ads is having a huge impact on vulnerable people,” he said. “While there’s nothing wrong with the occasional flutter, if it is abused, it can be dangerous and devastating for people and families. It is time to see real action from the Government now.”
