Early childhood gambling in Ireland linked to doubled addiction risk in adulthood
A new Irish study has revealed a troubling link between childhood gambling and later addiction. Researchers found that adults who gambled before turning 18 were nearly twice as likely to develop gambling problems. The findings have sparked calls for greater awareness among parents and policymakers.
The study, conducted by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), examined how early exposure to gambling shapes future behaviour. Children who played slot machines, bought scratch cards, or bet on horse or dog racing faced higher risks of addiction in adulthood. Even casual gambling in childhood appeared to normalize the habit, increasing vulnerability later in life.
Growing up in a household where gambling was viewed positively made the problem worse. The presence of a gambling parent raised the risk of future addiction by around a third. For those who both gambled as children and had a parent who gambled, the likelihood of developing problems as adults jumped to four times higher than average.
Dr Shane Timmons, a senior research officer at the ESRI, warned against treating gambling as harmless entertainment for young people. He stressed that early exposure could lead to long-term harm. Anne Marie Caulfield, chief executive of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), echoed these concerns, urging better education for children, parents, and guardians.
The study's release has intensified debates over gambling regulation in Ireland. In response, the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 was passed in 2024, introducing a dedicated regulator and stricter advertising rules. However, Ireland's progress still lags behind the UK, where reforms like the 2005 Gambling Act and 2025 affordability checks have been enforced more rigorously. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of British minors remain exposed to gambling due to weak oversight of online marketing.
The research highlights a clear pattern: early gambling exposure significantly raises the risk of addiction. With roughly one in 30 Irish adults already struggling with problem gambling, the findings underscore the need for stronger protections. The new regulations aim to curb these risks, but enforcement will determine their real-world impact.
