Oisín McConville’s revelation concerning his battle with gambling addiction took place in a noticeably different era, specifically September 2007. Not only did the world of betting look starkly different, but Paddy Power was even three years shy from launching its mobile app. With close to 1,400 bookies dotting the map of Ireland then, we now witness a reduction, with only half of that figure remaining today. At that time, gambling in the US was mostly frowned upon and limited to just two states. Presently, gamblers can place bets in 39 states, and the number is increasing steadily.
In the span of 17 years, many changes have transpired, yet, ironically, some outdated elements stubbornly persist. For instance, Ireland is yet to instate an official gambling regulator. There is no alteration in laws that guide gambling activities in Ireland; legislation dating back to as far as 1929, 1931 and 1956 are still valid. James Browne TD is aiming to present the final portion of the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 to the Dáil in the forthcoming month. However, public anticipation of this significant event is rather muted.
Due to McConville’s high profile and firsthand experience, he is often at the receiving end of media invitations to present his insights on this topic. He admits to being frequently urged to condemn the lengthy duration it is taking to implement the relevant regulations. Indeed, the process is painstakingly slow, yet it is far from being inconsequential. The prolonged inaction has become a norm, unfortunately.
McConville reflects on his encounters with the media, where he’s questioned about the efficiency of the Gambling Bill. In his words, ‘They often tell me, ‘This Gambling Bill isn’t sufficient, right?’ And my response is, ‘Absolutely not. But wait, it is a starting point.” Taking one step at a time is better than standing still – we’ve been stagnant for much too long. Inevitably, even after the commencement of the bill in a year’s time, I’ll be advocating for more. However, it is essential to take the first step from what was previously non-existent.”
Working diligently to resolve ongoing queries from senators regarding amendments to a Bill this week was Browne, demonstrating a level of commitment that many spectators bore witness to. Regarding the prospective elements to be added to the Bill, McConville observes plenty of potential advantages and anticipates the employment of a number of easy-to-implement measures that will likely be of significant benefit if incorporated.
McConville emphasises the necessity of asserting 18 as the lawful age to gamble. He recollects a visit to a school in Killarney last year, highlighting that out of all the students he interacted with, only two admitted to having visited a betting shop, yet almost everyone claimed to have wagered before.
He asserts that a change of approach is vital. Most individuals he encounters began gambling in their early teens, and hence, by the time they reach the legal age, gambling has become an integral part of their lifestyle, often causing considerable harm.
He further elaborates, stating that the severity of the issue becomes more pronounced when what started as harmless wagering of pocket money escalates to staking earnings from part-time jobs, frequently shaping many aspects of a young person’s life aspirations.
Giving his own example, he admits that he valued nothing more than earning a sum to feed his gambling appetite each week, despite lacking a strong academic base. Though the chances of becoming a surgeon were slim, he could have pursued higher education and undertaken a different career path, but his thought process was grossly influenced by gambling.
Oisín McConville, once a renowned gambler in Ireland, has transformed his life from personal ruin to becoming a pillar of support for others struggling with the vice. Known as the most prominent figure in Ireland’s recovering gambling community, he is now the first port of call for myriad families seeking help for loved ones.
McConville explains that in the realm of gambling, intervention usually comes at the crisis stage. Nobody steps in when they’re just beginning to lose control; help is sought when everything is already lost.
Following the release of his autobiographical book titled The Gambler, McConville discovered a new purpose in life. His phone started flooding with tales of young people, primarily young GAA athletes, struggling with gambling. Requests for his advice and guidance multiplied. He never turned anyone away; this was the main reason he had decided to publicly share his story.
McConville conveys that he went public because he wanted to give back to others. He wished for others to benefit from his experience as he had done over the years. Initially shattered and broke, he fondly recalls a moment at a Gamblers Anonymous meeting when someone told him how fortunate he was for being there. Despite his struggles, he started seeing positive changes after two to three years and wanted others to share in his newfound fortune.
McConville admits that while he anticipated his book would spur a reaction and potentially have a beneficial impact for those struggling, he never imagined the sheer number of individuals who would reach out directly to him. It was this realization that spurred him to further dedicate himself to helping others in a similar way.
He pursued a diploma in counselling, only to discover that the career wasn’t favourable to him. Rather, he discovered he’s better suited to playing an intervening role, providing the initial contact for those who have no one else to turn to, starting an open, honest conversation and then directing them towards help.
“Gambling engagement comes at the height of their crisis,” he says. “They approach you when they are at their lowest and have exhausted all their resources, as I once did in my quest for money. It wasn’t a sudden epiphany or a flash of enlightenment that made me stop, it was the harsh reality of having no other options that forced me to surrender.”
“One piece of advice, given by a lad from Kerry, has never left me. It stated that if I was putting in more effort than the other person, I should take a step back. It emphasised the importance of looking after my own well-being, my own issues and self-care.”
“On recognising the impossibility of being a saviour to everyone, he started focusing on his own well-being. He continues to participate in GA meetings and regularly checks in with himself to see if there’s anything troubling on the horizon. At home, he and his wife, Darina, excel in conversational honesty and openness. “Some days can be quite intense,” he shares. “You interact with folks who are in a deep mess, sharing their terrible life stories with you.”
In the past 17 years, the world has seen multiple changes, but the increasing availability of gambling trumps them all. Now, everyone can gamble right from their pocket; our sports events are contaminated with a deluge of ads. The number of lottery games and scratch cards has skyrocketed. At his Gamblers Anonymous meeting these days, he encounters a diverse crowd from youngsters of 18 to elderly men of 80.
That’s his motivation to contribute to the GamblingCare.ie charity. Set up two years ago to back research into and treatment for problematic gambling, it has unquestionably had a significant positive impact nationwide. Among other achievements, it has established a dedicated gambling section in Cuan Mhuire in Athy, and another similar facility is due in Galway soon. McConville finds this particularly poignant since this was where he sought recovery years back.
However, questions surround the operations of GamblingCare. The organisation is supported by contributions from gambling firms, exposing it to allegations of reputation laundering. McConville acknowledges this issue, disclosing it even before The Irish Times could bring it up. “Gambling companies bankroll it,” he admits. Although he was sceptical at first and did some research, he maintains the funding model will change eventually.
But in the current situation, where are the alternatives? He sees no other bodies offering the kind of financial support needed to continue the charity’s vital work. If there was another option, he would be open to it, but for now, it’s the only viable choice. Setting up an efficient regulator is the priority, he suggests. Until that happens, McConville will continue offering support, answering calls, and remaining available.
In 2014, Niall McNamee, a footballer from Offaly, came out with his personal account of gambling, prompting a somewhat light-hearted response from McConville who expressed relief that there was now another person to carry the burden. After GamblingCare released their advertisement featuring McConville, Conn Kilpatrick and Richie Power during the competition, the calls to their emergency line rose by 43%.
The journey continues unabated.
Should anyone be impacted by this and need support, do get in touch with gamblingcare.ie.