Extern Problem Gambling briefs APG on services across the island of Ireland
On Tuesday 27 January, Barry Grant and Claire Donegan from Extern Problem Gambling briefed the All Party Group on Reducing Harm Related to Gambling on their services across the island of Ireland.
Barry Grant from Extern Problem Gambling opened the presentation by outlining the work of Extern and its projects. In 2025, Extern directly supported over 12,000 individuals across the island of Ireland. On its Problem Gambling service in NI, Barry explained the organisation provides helpline, online counselling and app-based support, as well as support for affected others. This began in May 2021-February 2022, and recommenced in April 2024 with funding from philanthropist Derek Webb.
He stated that referrals from NI have roughly doubled in the last year, and there has been a rise in women from NI seeking help. He informed the APG that NI referrals are often prioritised as there are limited alternative services in NI, compared to those services available in Ireland.
One of the services that NI users can avail of is their Stop Gambling App. The app, which Barry stated was likely the first of its kind, provides drips of information to service users across 100 days, and facilitates private chats and meetings with professionals, as well as giving access to a podcast. He explained that as the app does not require direct interaction, it helps to support those who may not have reached out to an individual often due to stigma or shame associated with gambling addiction. Additionally, it has improved engagement with the organisation’s services, particularly female users, and requires a lower demand of resources.
Comparing land-based gambling and gaming markets across the island, Barry explained that there are more land-based addictions in NI compared to RoI. He said that this may be because of the difference in land-based gambling products available in NI and ROI. Fixed-Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) are available in NI, but do not exist in RoI because of a “gentleman’s agreement” between bookmakers; in NI gaming machines are allowed in pubs, which Barry said is particularly dangerous because it allows alcohol to be combined with gambling, while in RoI it is illegal to have gaming machines in pubs; and Category D gaming machines (slot machines with lower stake and prize limits) in NI have no age limit, whereas all gaming machines in RoI are restricted to over 18s. He added that Extern has “serious concerns” about these gaming machines, noting that reducing prize limits does not make the activity less addictive. Therefore, Extern urges MLAs to introduce legislation to establish an Office of Gambling Regulator, even as an intermediate option, to provide protection for vulnerable adults and children.
On the future of treatment funding, Barry noted that the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has provided certainty for RoI. Whereas, uncertainty remains for NI as details on how much of the UK gambling levy will be received in NI. Barry explained that Extern Problem Gambling urgently needs funding from this levy to add services in NI. Extern Problem Gambling also acknowledged the efforts by MLAs and the APG to resolve this issue, adding that it would be “illogical” for NI not to receive funding from this.
The Chair, Philip McGuigan MLA asked about accessing the app, to which Barry explained it runs on the Mighty Network Platform and does not appear as a gambling-specific app on the device. He also explained the on-boarding process and the discretion that the app provides.
In her presentation, Claire provided a summary of Extern’s Women’s Gambling Support Network (WGSN), which was launched in September 2024 and was established to bridge the gap in services for women affected by gambling. Examples of the services that WGSN provides include: one-to-one recovery; group support meetings; online services; a 10-week module-based recovery plan; and the Lived Experience Accredited Facilitator & Speaker Programme (LEAFS).
She highlighted that 42 women have presented to WGSN since its introduction, marking a 328% increase in the number of women presenting to Extern Problem Gambling since the introduction of this female-specific support service. Eight women from NI have used the service, and across Ireland four women are facing criminal charges as a result of gambling , 26 service users are parents and seven service users are carers. On service user trends, Claire highlighted that land-based gambling is more prevalent in older women, as well as those from NI.
Danny Donnelly MLA asked about pathways into problem gambling for women, to which Claire explained that many use gambling as a stress response or a form of escapism from their caring responsibilities. Paul Frew MLA asked Extern why they think women are more likely to use land-based products, to which Claire explained that women using WGSN mostly use casino-based products (both online and in-person), often for older women due to the social aspect of it. Closing this point, the Philip McGuigan MLA noted that advertising for these products often targets women.
Philip McGuigan MLA asked about how Extern would benefit if the north received a share of the statutory levy on online gambling operators. Barry Grant said it could expand its services to include more preventative work, such as facilitating those with lived experience to speak at schools, colleges and workplaces etc.
If you would like a copy of the presentation slides, please email secretariat@gamharmapg.org
