More than 400,000 people in Ireland show some evidence of a gambling problem, a new report suggests.

Figures compiled by the ESRI estimate that 1-in-30 adults in Ireland suffer from problem gambling - 10-times higher than a previous measure from 2019.

Most of this difference is likely down to the survey method, as previous estimates were based on face-to-face interviews.

The ESRI study was done anonymously online, using a representative sample of 2,850 adults.

"The 1-in-30 figure closely matches the rate of problem gambling that people see among their friends and family," it said.

A further 279,000 adults show moderate evidence of problem gambling - meaning that they suffer negative behaviours or experiences associated with their gambling, such as borrowing to fund it, but fall short of being classified as having a problem.

Spending

People with problem gambling spend more than €1,000 per month on average.

Online gambling accounts for three-fifths of the total gambling spend of people with problem gambling, with in-person gambling accounting for the rest.

People aged under 50 have higher rates of problem gambling, with those in their 30s estimated to have the highest rate.

Problem gambling is less widespread among women than men and less common among those with higher levels of education.

The data, collected in August 2023, found three-quarters of adults spent money on at least one form of gambling in the month prior to the survey, with one-third doing so online.

An illustrated image highlighting online gambling at the workplace. Image: Maddie Red Photography / Alamy

The most common forms of gambling were lotteries and scratch cards, followed by betting on horses, greyhounds and other sports.

Slot machines and casino gambling, particularly online, were more common among people with problem gambling.

ESRI Behavioural Research Unit head Pete Lunn said it is hard to get an exact number.

"It is hard to measure problem gambling precisely, but we are confident that 1-in-30 adults more accurately reflects the true situation than previous estimates," he said.

"This equates to 130,000 adults with problem gambling in Ireland and suggests that the problem is much more widespread than we thought."

Anyone affected by issues raised in this article can contact Gamblers Anonymous on 01-872-1133, 087-748-5878 (10am-10pm) or email info@gamblersanonymous.ie

Main image: Composite image shows a gambling app screen in Cork, Ireland in July 2015. Image: Wavebreakmedia Ltd FUS1507-1 / Alamy Stock Photo