Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
ADDICTION COUNSELLORS HAVE warned people not to be sucked in by bookies’ promises of life-changing money as the Cheltenham festival begins today.
The racing festival and St Patrick’s Day can be especially difficult times for addicts which can see them relapse. Addiction specialists at the Rutland Centre said this is a particularly chaotic time of year for their services as they see people with drinking and gambling problems present at their facility.
The proliferation of gambling websites, smartphone applications and social media advertising means that for those who suffer with addiction, this time can be “relentless and unwavering”, according to Rutland Centre CEO Maebh Leahy.
This is a very difficult time of year for people with addiction problems. For the next number of weeks, gambling will be everywhere. All you’ll be seeing for the next while will be about Cheltenham. There’s no escape for people. It’s relentless.
While it is tough for those struggling with impulsive behaviour, Leahy added that the government has a responsibility to enact legislation designed to protect vulnerable people. The Gambling Control Bill was published in 2013 and has yet to be signed into law.
While Leahy has praised Minister David Stanton for bringing it to the fore once again, she said the Bill needs to be passed in full and that “a watered-down version” would not suffice.
“We need the control bill to be enacted. It would have the industry behave in a much more responsible way. If we don’t stand up to them now, we’ll be in the same position that we are in now with alcohol. The cost on society needs to be recognised. It’s a multi-billion euro industry. Their profits are huge. Their contribution towards the social cost is minuscule in my opinion.
They’re not your friend. Don’t be sucked in by this promise of what might be, of what could be this dream win. The flip-side is disaster.
Last year, more than 13% of cases the Rutland Centre dealt with were to do with gambling. In the first two months of this year, that figure stands at 30%.
Leahy and her team deal with horrific cases which have seen retired parents use their pension pots to pay off their children’s debts. Other times, parents have had to go back to work to bail their children out.
“We have seen young lads coming in after selling their cars so they could gamble. Their parents would have had to use their life savings to bail them out. People steal from their families, people lose their homes, their families. It can put families through turmoil.”
Leahy added that the Rutland Centre fully respects that many people will drink and bet responsibly and safely, but said it is asking people to acknowledge that there are hundreds of thousands of others who can’t partake without putting themselves and their family members in serious harm.
Online bookmakers use a number of tools to help people control their gambling. Methods include being able to set deposit limits, viewing their account history and being able to ban yourself from the site.
The Rutland Centre will be offering free family support workshops for family members in need of support on 22 March, 5 April and 19 April.
More information can be found here.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Amazing that you win one match, and you get into the qualifers
@The Firestarter: the would have got in even if they lost against France, tho likely unseeded
@The Firestarter: what are you talking about?
@The Firestarter: kinda hard not to qualify
@The Firestarter: zzzzzzzzzz
@john kenny: zz
Big hard man Damien O’Sullivan giving pelters to women who have achieved more in their lives than he ever will. Damien, you are a troll on the Internet and these woman are representing their country. They stand head and shoulders above people like you. Let that sink in.
@Sun Rise: As ever you are brave behind your keyboard and fake name. The fact you call people trolls while trolling the internet behind tells a lot about the person behind the account.
@Ger Whelan: you are a vicious piece of work. He is defending the womens team show respect boy.
@Sean Money: was it Putin’s fault the girls didn’t win all their games?
@Ger Whelan: you are a sick puppy. Be happy Ireland won.
@Sean Money: Erm they didn’t win . They finished bottom of their group with 1 win out of 5 games. Hardly worth celebrating
@Sun Rise: I reported you just now.
Hopefully the last comment you’ll ever make on this.
I repeat. The current team is useless they were much better under Vera. Constructive criticism, not some misogynistic agenda you’re pushing.
Suck on that.
@Sun Rise: God help the team if they have likes of you ‘looking out’ for them.
You’ll be hearing from the Journal soon. Bye bye a*****e.
Good draw
They’re useless
@Damien O’Sullivan: i hope your talking about FFG,,,
@Damien O’Sullivan: Damien give that phone back to your mother until you mature a bit like a good little boy.
@James Leahy: Just criticising the current team. They were better under Vera.
Why don’t you run off and troll elsewhere fool. You have no idea what you’re talking about
@james rowan: Yeah them too
Nobody is interested in women’s soccer, it’s just not very good
@Auld Lad: 16 000 in Pairc Ui Caoimh.
@Auld Lad: another Immature small boy pretending to be an Auld lad.
@James Leahy: oh look, here’s the white Knight on his steed, getting offended on behalf of women everywhere
@Sean O’Dhubhghaill: been to bigger raves
@Auld Lad: yeah we can tell…oh the irony
@Auld Lad: doubt you’ve left your mother’s basement in the past ten years.
No stopping them now after they beat France so easily
have your say