Clare men are gambling ‘serious sums of money’ on a much too frequent basis, local councillors have flagged as they called for an update to gambling laws.

Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee (FG) has been requested to update gambling laws “with specific reference to online gambling” and to “urgently appoint” a gambling regulator after a motion on the topic was passed by Clare councillors this week.

Speaking at Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) who proposed the motion outlined that one parent forwarded a sum of money to her son in university on Friday evening and by 9:15am the following morning “he had all the money gambled online”.

Describing it as “a serious problem,” Cllr Ryan also recalled that one woman informed him her husband was gambling the majority of his wages while sitting at home on the phone. “The gambling laws haven’t been updated since 1931,” he stated. “It is too easy to do it. If young fellas go into bookieshops, the majority of people behind the counter are responsible people and won’t take large bets from young people. The Minister needs to step up to the mark and update gambling laws and bring in a gambling regulator”.

“This is a very serious problem and isn’t highlighted because there is a certain amount of shame attached to it. A young lad at 10 years of age can actually gamble online with his father’s credit card if he has it in front of him. It is a serious situation,” Ryan concluded.

According to Ennis representative, Cllr Pat Daly “gambling addictions are rampant in this country particularly online”. He said people as young as sixteen are gambling regularly online, “It is disgraceful and shouldn’t be allowed. I’ve first hand experience of it myself. It is out of control. It is a very serious situation, you can gamble your house in one day”. He believed the prominence of advertising on television and online was fuelling the problem.

Mayor of Clare, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) commended Cllr Daly for speaking of his own experience. She said sportspeople in particular were getting a high off gambling as a replacement to alcohol consumption.

Related News

34_CCC - Boat Launch_250625
Addition of €28k rescue boat a major upgrade to fleet of Clare Civil Defence
madden furniture 1
Landmark Ennis business Madden Furniture to close this month
tablet smartphone laptop 1
Man (58) in South-East Clare charged with having 1544 images of child sex abuse
alan o'callaghan conor ryan tony o'brien pat burke pat hayes 1
'We are the envy of the county' - Hayes says Killaloe MD Cllrs have best working relationship

Advertisement

Latest News
galway greyhound stadium
Double feature win for Long & Collins
micheál murray 1
Mint performance from the Murrays helps Miltown win O'Gorman Cup for second time
tablet smartphone laptop 1
Man (58) in South-East Clare charged with having 1544 images of child sex abuse
waterford v clare camogie 05-07-25 jennifer daly orla hickey 2
Waterford relievedly Rockett to last four following Clare scare
alan o'callaghan conor ryan tony o'brien pat burke pat hayes 1
'We are the envy of the county' - Hayes says Killaloe MD Cllrs have best working relationship
Premium
éire óg vs ballyea 04-07-25 david reidy paddy smyth 1
Éire Óg retain Division 2 League title in derby decider
killaloe canal 1-2
Teenage girl 'scared & angry' after boy (14) 'humped' her from behind in Killaloe
1 DSC_9129
Clare will have 'one hell of a shot' in quarter-final with Waterford - Carmody
inagh kilnamona v clonlara 05-09-21 30 kevin hehir paraic o'loughlin
Inagh/Kilnamona chase first senior title & Clonlara aim to regain silverware
east clare memorial pat hayes
Hayes accusses Tipperary councillor of spreading 'misinformation' on Killaloe to Ballina pedestrianisation

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Advertisement