Irish psychiatrists group calling for "urgent" gambling ad ban

[The Buzz]

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland (CPI) is claiming in its new Gambling Disorder Position Paper that there "was overwhelming evidence for a connection between the high volume of betting advertisements and an increase in problem gambling," prompting the group to call for an “urgent, outright ban” on advertising and the "introduction of dedicated treatment pathways" that are necessary to tackle what it considers to be a "public health crisis."

Discussing advertising standards, Professor Colin O’Gara, Consultant Addictions Psychiatrist specializing in the area of gambling addiction, and lead author of the paper says:

“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 CPI added that anecdotal information from Consultant Addiction Psychiatrists indicates a "concerning rise in gambling disorders referrals amid Covid-19 lockdowns, due to isolation, more opportunity to gamble while working from home and higher levels of targeted online advertising."

“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.

Even in the absence of live sports, people are finding it difficult to avoid triggers, with increased visibility of online gambling ads and the rollout of new betting platforms. We need to support people with tighter controls and responsible gambling measures inbuilt in the industry.”

Read more here: https://www.irishpsychiatry.ie/blog/...osition-paper/

[ocreditor]

Interesting.. so they will also ban advertisment of cigarets, drugs, alchol and all the rest of addictive stuff right?

[Sherlock]

I think so. It will be sad to part ways with the good old ads on heroin.

[ocreditor]

I think so. It will be sad to part ways with the good old ads on heroin.

[Surya]

The CPI added that anecdotal information from Consultant Addiction Psychiatrists indicates a "concerning rise in gambling disorders referrals amid Covid-19 lockdowns, due to isolation, more opportunity to gamble while working from home and higher levels of targeted online advertising."

There could be restrictions, ban is a very hard word, but sooner or later, the govt and organizations was supposed to hold restriction for online, and all should be ready for that

[mickyfu]

I think so. It will be sad to part ways with the good old ads on heroin.

That's going to put our local YMCA put of business.

[ProjectMoolah]

Wouldn't this be good for affiliation however? Should give the operators more money to spend on affiliation marketing rather than ads? - I of course understand that this isn't the topic of conversation, and just to add to the actual topic: Psyciatrists are crazy, they should go see someone that deals with mental illness