Summary
Harmful gambling can devastate individuals and their families, both financially and socially. Dr Crystal Fulton’s first national study of the social impact of problem gambling in Ireland has helped to drive the conversation around this issue which negatively impacts between 224,000 and 440,000 people. The Department of Justice and Equality is using the research to inform new regulations around gambling. It is also used by service providers and others to help those affected by addiction.
The study was directly connected to current legislative work around identifying “developments in the area of gambling, inclusive of all aspects of gambling such as technological innovation and international legislation, and, to identify new or emerging legislative and policy issues in the area of gambling not currently represented in the original General Scheme” (Minister for Justice and Equality, David Stanton).
Research description
Harmful gambling is a costly social issue, affecting addicted individuals, families, and wider communities. Addressing this problem is a priority for the Departments of Justice and Equality and Social Protection, and a range of individuals and service providers in Ireland.
Dr Crystal Fulton’s national study was designed to provide foundational information for policy and legislative development in Ireland. The research began with a two-year exploration of the social impact of harmful gambling, involving in-depth interviews with critical stakeholders: addiction counsellors; recovering gamblers; and gamblers' social connections; as well as a focus group with gambling industry representatives. A follow-up study in 2016 examined international trends in the literature about gambling and consulted with stakeholders about potential changes to legislation. Participants specifically identified updated legislation, educational initiatives, and open discussion about harmful gambling as the critical requirements for addressing harmful gambling in Ireland.
Because of this research, the highly stigmatised problem of gambling addiction has moved from the shadows into the social and political conversation. This research has been directly applied to the content of new legislation in Ireland, with the Private Member’s Bill, the Gambling Control Bill 2018, which reached Stage Two. Additionally, local (e.g. addiction counsellors, researchers), national (e.g. government), and international (e.g. EU) groups are leveraging the research to increase awareness and to develop services to assist people affected by gambling.
Research impact
Dr Crystal Fulton has provided the first national study of social impact of harmful gambling in Ireland. This pioneering research has been praised by the UK Gambling Commission and Responsible Gambling Strategy Board for uniquely “measuring harm,” rather than “simply counting” problem gamblers, as done in most jurisdictions (Email correspondence, UKGC, 2015).
An Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton – who launched the initial report findings – said of the project, an “alarming finding that the study highlights is the connection between problem gambling and people at a young age.” This project revealed the plight of the gambler and their families and the need for updated legislation, planned services, and open discussion to dispel the stigma around this addiction in Ireland.
[Dr Fulton's research] has helped to drive the conversation regarding an issue which negatively impacts between 224,000 and 440,000 people in Ireland.
— Barry Grant, CEO of Problem Gambling Ireland (2017)
Significantly, the Department of Justice and Equality funded and used a follow-up investigation, Developments in the Gambling Area (2017), not only as a driver for legislative change, but also as content for new regulations around gambling, with Minister Stanton noting that, “the bill would also take into account a [UCD] report commissioned by the department last year”.
Minister for Justice and Equality Stanton launched the second report on their website, noting “The report forms part of a general review process of the regulation of the gambling sector in Ireland, with a view to early legislative action.”
The research featured in Parliamentary Questions in the Oireachtas, where Minister Stanton said the study was directly connected to current legislative work around identifying “developments in the area of gambling, inclusive of all aspects of gambling such as technological innovation and international legislation, and, to identify new or emerging legislative and policy issues in the area of gambling not currently represented in the original General Scheme and which may need to be addressed in new legislation.”
Most recently, the Gambling Control Bill 2018 was introduced and entered Stage Two of review. The research has also captured attention at EU level, e.g., inclusion in an EU-hosted conference to promote legislative change to control gambling.
With two ministerial launches and wide, ongoing press coverage, the results of the project also continue to have broad social impact – including informing children’s programming, with footballer Niall McNamee and the Gaelic Players Association to address gambling problems in sports, and counselling services for those affected by harmful gambling.
A joint submission to government by Problem Gambling Ireland, the Rutland Centre, and the Union of Students drew heavily from r Fulton’s first study of gambling impact, citing and supporting Fulton’s research recommendations.