Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Problem gambling is a big issue in Ireland and in my community. When I was growing up, my area was an area of disadvantage. It did not have any community infrastructure whatsoever. One of the first things that went into it was a pub and the next thing was a bookies, which squeezed the life and the money out of my community. These things need to be looked at.

I have worked in addiction services across Dublin over the years. In my time, I have worked closely with problematic gamblers. A person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol can only consume so much of it before they pass out but a gambler can keep gambling if they have the means to keep gambling or the ability to obtain the means to keep gambling. Many families have been destroyed financially and emotionally by problematic gambling. There is many a person in prison because of crimes committed to secure the means to keep gambling.

In my time, I have found that compulsive gamblers have an uncontrollable urge to keep gambling despite the toll it takes on their lives. Science has proven that gambling can stimulate the brain's reward system much like drugs or alcohol can, leading to addiction. If someone has a problem with compulsive gambling, they may continually chase bets that lead to losses, use up savings and create debt. They may hide their behaviour and even turn to theft or fraud to support their addiction.

Online gambling companies have also used this science. A near win can stimulate the same reaction in the brain as a win can. Big gambling companies have designed their online betting systems to stimulate the brain by using this "near miss" science. It effectively keeps people gambling longer. In the Twenty-six Counties, we have highest online gambling losses in the world per head and the third highest gambling losses overall per head. This is a serious problem. There is no proper funding for treatment for problem gamblers, which I hope will be addressed by the social impact fund provided for in the Bill.

I commend the work carried out by volunteer organisations such as Gamblers Anonymous in helping their peers, and for the vital work they do by going into our prisons and talking to people who are incarcerated just because of their gambling addiction. Community organisations like the ones I used to work in need funding and supports. My colleague, Deputy Thomas Gould, has introduced a Bill to ban online gambling using a credit card and has developed a 26-county gambling strategy, which includes a strong regulator. While we welcome this Bill, it must be accompanied by funding for addiction services, awareness campaigns and supports that are free from industry influence. We support a regulated trade and acknowledge its importance in preventing the involvement of organised crime. At the same time, that regulation must be robust.

This year, the Government funded Horse Racing Ireland to the tune of €71 million, a large proportion of which could be used as prize money for horse racing. Most of this prize money is shared among a select few of the top horse trainers and owners. It beggars belief that this money is not used for vital community facilities. In my area, we are lucky to have the Clondalkin Equine Club. It is a centre of excellence for children to practise proper urban horsemanship. Last year, the club nearly folded because of a lack of funding. Only last-minute private funding kept it afloat this year. I attended the club’s AGM only last week, where we were told the club could be in the same position again this year. Of the €71 million the Government gives HRI, this club would only require €130,000 to keep it operating at its full potential. The Government funding HRI receives must be reviewed so the money can also go to the community, and not just in prize money. I ask the Minister of State to clarify if the social impact fund provided for in this Bill will be open for community groups like the Clondalkin Equine Club to avail of.

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