Irish people who engaged in some form of gambling as children are almost twice as likely to have a gambling problem as someone never exposed directly to gambling in their youth, according to new research.
A study carried out by the Economic and Social Research Institute also found the probability of having problem gambling almost doubles among people who had a parent who gambled a lot during their childhood.
Researchers carried out an online survey of a nationally representative sample of 1,663 adults in Ireland.
It revealed that 4% had problem gambling, while another 25% showed some evidence of having a problem with gambling.
Problem gambling is defined as when a person’s gambling is disruptive and damaging to their lives with negative repercussions on their finances, wellbeing and social circles.
The results showed participants spend an average of €30.62 per week on gambling.
Almost two-thirds reported having gambled before the age of 18.
Childhood experiences
The study said the results of the survey established strong links between childhood experiences of gambling and problem gambling in adulthood.
People whose parents had a positive attitude towards gambling were also found to be at an increased risk of experiencing problem gambling.
Playing slot machines was the most common form of gambling for money as a child, which was reported by 33% of respondents.
It was followed by scratch cards (31%), betting on horse or greyhound racing (27%), gambling amongst friends (23%), bingo (20%) and lotteries (20%).
The study said there were some differences in gambling experiences as children depending on the age of respondents.
The more prevalent forms of childhood gambling for adults under 40 were scratch cards, sports betting and loot boxes in video games.
In contrast, slot machines were the dominant form of childhood gambling for adults over 40.
Researchers said having one parent who gambled was linked to an increased chance of problem gambling by about a third compared to having no parent who gambled.
However, the link was much stronger among those aged 40 and over.
The study said that while parental gambling behaviour was previously a crucial factor in determining if a child would develop problem gambling in adulthood, other factors have become more important.
One of the report’s authors, Diarmaid Ó Ceallaigh, said the study’s findings added to the weight of evidence of a link between childhood experiences of gambling and problem gambling in adulthood.
Minimising exposure
He claimed they also supported regulatory measures, which minimised the exposure of children to gambling in order to reduce their risk of developing problem gambling in later life.
Examples of such measures include bans on children gambling or entering gambling premises, websites or apps as well as strict age-verification safeguards for online gambling platforms.
The study said its findings also implied that the risk of problem gambling might be reduced by minimising the exposure of children to gambling marketing through watershed bans on TV advertising and restrictions on sponsorship of events or clubs involving children.
It claimed such measures might be taking on greater importance given the findings that the influence of parents on the risk of problem gambling appears to be weakening in younger age groups.
Previous research found around three-quarters of Irish adults said they had engaged in some form of gambling in the previous month.
It is estimated that 3.3% have problem gambling, while a further 7.1% suffer multiple negative gambling experiences and behaviours.
Past studies also found 23% of 16-year-olds in Ireland had gambled for money in the previous year, while 3% showed signs of excessive gambling.
Young males who play team sports are also more likely to gamble regularly and gamble online.
Half of all adults entering treatment for their gambling began gambling before the age of 17.
A new Gambling Regulation Bill is currently before the Houses of the Oireachtas and represents the first major overhaul of gambling legislation in Ireland in almost 70 years.