Ireland Plans to Hold a Responsible Gambling Week in Early February

The last couple of weeks in the UK have been about how to improve the fight against gambling addiction. And now, from February 5th to 11th, Ireland joins the discussion as well. During that period, Ireland’s gambling companies will stage the first-ever Responsible Gambling Week.

Their goal is to increase awareness of gambling problems and start a discussion on how to improve the current situation. The whole event is put together with the efforts of online and retail bookmakers, PayPal online casinos, gaming clubs, greyhound tracks, and others.

The organisers will hand out leaflets, display banners, and use social media to educate the public about the gambling addiction. Furthermore, the organisers are hoping to start a conversation that will not end after the campaign week is over. They plan to educate politicians, casino operators, gamblers, and the public so that they can continue to spread the awareness. The entire campaign runs under one simple slogan, “A great tip – know when to stop.”

A word from officials

Sharon Byrne, the representative of the Irish Bookmakers Association, said, “This week marks the first Responsible Gambling Week in Ireland. The bookmaking industry is using the week to reiterate its support for the establishment of an independent regulator and the enactment of the Gambling Control Bill.”

She further added, “Our members look forward to working productively with the regulator once they pass the legislation. Social responsibility has been increasingly fundamental to our members’ approach to customers and business, and what makes this week so important is that the industry is coming together and sharing the same messages to secure maximum exposure and awareness.”

Of course, she is talking about the long overdue Gambling Control Bill. This bill will put a mandatory tax on gambling operators to help fund the gambling addiction treatment and education. Right now, the UK Gambling Commission is in the middle of consultations where one of the main topics is a proposal for a similar bill.