EmpowerHer Recovery Network is dedicated to eliminating the bias against Irish women regarding gambling issues.
Gambling stigma hinders women from seeking help
Due to the stigma associated with gambling, very few women seek help for gambling issues. To eliminate this stigma, Ireland's EmpowerHer Recovery Network has launched a confidential, free, pioneering service that allows women to discuss the issues leading them to seek help without "fear or prejudice".
Project leader Claire Donegan said that many women are afraid to come forward because they fear how others will view their gambling issues. She stated, "I hope that by providing this free, safe space, we can help break down barriers and provide the motivation needed for women to take the first step towards recovery."
Research shows a surge in the number of Irish women affected by harmful gambling
The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has cast a shadow over the prominence of this issue. Research shows that the number of Irish women affected by harmful gambling has increased tenfold since 2019, reaching 2.9% of the total population. Despite the increasing number of female problem gamblers, the number of women in treatment and support networks remains low.
The network offers various services
The external gambling issues network (behind the EmpowerHer service) is providing various services to combat women's gambling issues. These services include one-on-one peer counseling, recovery toolkits, online group meetings, and confidential spaces. To combat isolation, the network has also released a new season of podcast stories focusing on women "affected by gambling issues".
The proportion of Irish women seeking help has always been very low
Consultant Barry Grant said, "Ireland urgently needs this new service to reduce the stigma suffered by women harmed by gambling and to encourage them to seek help. The proportion of Irish women seeking help has always been very low. Currently, only 10% of those who use our consulting services and are committed to self-recovery are women, while recent ESRI research indicates that over 45% of those with gambling issues in Ireland are women."
Research emphasizes the incidence of problem gambling
ESRI's research, published at the end of 2023, emphasizes not only the incidence of gambling addiction among women but also among the general population. Their research indicates that one in ten Irish adults has a gambling addiction. ESRI researchers stated, "We may still be underestimating the true prevalence, which is crucial for understanding the role of gambling in the lives of Irish people."
If Minister of State for Justice James Browne's plans succeed, a series of long-awaited laws will be passed this autumn to regulate Ireland's gambling industry before the next general election.
The increase in the number of people with gambling addiction indicates how severe the problem could become
Twenty years ago, the UK established a similar gambling regulatory body, but the continuous increase in the number of problem gamblers indicates how severe the issue could become if further measures are not taken. Advocates state that without the newly appointed regulatory body, the harm of problem gambling in Ireland, especially to the public and children, will only worsen.
