The Responsible Gambling Week to be staged by Ireland next month

The gambling sector of Ireland has merged to launch the initial Responsible Gambling Week of the country to be active from February 5 to 11.

Retail and online bookmakers, online casinos, racecourses and greyhound tracks, arcades and gaming clubs will back up the Tote under the campaign slogan “A great tip – know when to stop.”

The same awareness campaign and similar efforts will be followed in Britain, with the most recent having taken place in October.

Once the overdue Gambling Control Bill comes into effect Ireland’s gambling operators are all set to pay a levy to aid fund problem gambling treatment, and research and education.

The Irish Bookmakers Association Chairperson Sharon Byrne said: “This week marks the first Responsible Gambling Week in Ireland and 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.”

“Our members look forward to working productively with the regulator once legislation is passed. 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.”

During the week there will be a national display of posters, leaflets and banners to raise awareness of the issue, as well as promotion on social media.

There will also be a reception in the Dail to brief politicians on Responsible Gambling Week and how they can assist the industry.

Byrne added: “We want to start more conversations about what it means to gamble responsibly between operators, customers and their friends and families. The industry will also be raising awareness about how to help people gamble responsibly, and will be sharing information on how to access help and support, for those who need it.”