I RECALL a social media posting a couple of years ago which complimented me on a page in the health section of this paper, highlighting the dangers of being addicted to gambling.

The writer of the piece felt that a paper such as this would steer clear of such a topic, perhaps feeling that it risked offending bookmaker groups. However, that would have been a dereliction of our responsibility to acknowledge that problems with addiction exist in every sector of society, and the world of gambling is no different.

Bookmakers, lottery managers, casinos, gaming providers have a duty of care to ensure that their customers do not act in a way that could be detrimental to their health, financial status, and family relationships, should these actions get out of hand. Providing the services that they do is fine, and they are running legitimate businesses. What they cannot do is to prey on vulnerable people.

Anytime I am asked to appear on a radio programme to speak of an upcoming race or festival, and I am asked for a tip, I am careful to remind listeners that they should only bet what they can afford to lose. I feel an obligation to do so. It is common sense after all.

I recently attended the opening of a new residential treatment service for people with a gambling addiction, based at Cuan Mhuire in Bruree, Co Limerick. The venue also treats people with other addictions. The new facility is funded by the Gambling Awareness Trust, and that body’s chairman is the former Minister of State for Agriculture, Tom Hayes, and he is a great racing fan.

One of the many things that struck me forcefully on my visit to the launch was the reality of the effects that a gambling addiction can have, devastating the lives of so many people close to the addict. We are inclined to associate gambling addiction only with our sport, being immersed in the industry, and it is clear from recent comments by some members of our parliament that they do so too.

The fact is that betting on football and other sports far exceeds the amount punted on racing, while one of the speakers on the day detailed the effect her addiction to lottery tickets had on her family.

Slot machines are another potential menace, while the ease of access we have to betting sites on our mobile devices makes it so easy for people to hide the true nature of what they are doing.

If you are affected by this issue, or know of someone close to you who is, the clear advice is to seek help before you lose everything.