NI's gambling laws 'not fit for purpose' - CARE
Northern Ireland's gambling laws have been described as outdated by charity CARE.
It undertook research into problem gambling locally, revealing that only one health trust here keeps records of the amount of people seeking professional help.
The Southern Trust was able to show that 72 people had sought out professional advice in the last three years.
It also highlighted the fact that there are 2.3% of adults in NI with a gambling problem, compared to just 0.5% in England.
That is the highest rate in the UK.
Mark Baillie, CARE's NI Public Policy Officer is calling on politicians to step up and urgently review the legislation here around gambling.
“We often hear of the need to develop ‘evidence-based policy'," he said.
“We know Northern Ireland has a particular problem with problem gambling, but we are completely in the dark as to how many people are seeking help from the NHS or the extent of services which are available for those suffering from such addictions.
“In this instance, we need the Department of Health and the Health and Social Care Trusts to collect this data so policy makers can properly respond to this problem in Northern Ireland.
“Law and policy on gambling in Northern Ireland is currently failing.
“Real people are suffering as a consequence and in some cases tragically we have seen individuals engage in criminality or even go so far as taking their own lives.
“It’s absolutely clear we need urgent action to be taken, before the challenge gets any worse."
Belfast City Councillor, John Kyle said: “I have written to the Department of Health and the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust to ask them to collect data on the number of individuals suffering from gambling addiction in Northern Ireland.
“It is imperative such data is collected so that effective policy can be developed to help those suffering from gambling addiction in Northern Ireland.
“Northern Ireland is failing those who are suffering from problem gambling.
“As a GP, I witnessed first-hand the impact problem gambling can have in people’s lives.
“We have legislation which is not for purpose, services which are not available to those who are coming from the poorest backgrounds and completely insufficient data on the extent of the problem we have in this area.
“This is yet another area where we badly need action but cannot have it without the NI Executive in operation."