Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 13 October 2021

Joint Committee On Health

Impact of Covid-19 on Addiction Services: Discussion

Mr. Gerry Cooney:

Perhaps not, and this is an important point. We are always interested in trends and what is presenting now is a close overlap between people struggling with alcohol and gambling. On the issue of advertising and marketing, and this is a personal hobby horse, it is incredible what the gambling industry is getting away with in this regard. The situation must be regularised and addressed urgently, because we have noticed from our contacts and calls that online gambling is one of the subjects where there has been quite an increase since the beginning of the pandemic.