A recovering gambling addict is urging others to not "suffer in silence" as new official figures reveal that problem gambling levels in Northern Ireland remain at a similar level as before.
Stephen Kerr said his addiction started when he was 15 years old, by 18 he was a "full-blown gambling addict".
Two years later he was in a rehabilitation facility.
"It started off small and just kept growing and growing, I've lost thousands," Mr Kerr told BBC News NI.
What is problem gambling?
Problem gambling is gambling which compromises, disrupts or damages the individual or their family, as well as their daily life and career.
Northern Ireland has the highest rate of problem gamblers in the United Kingdom, based on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI).
In 2024, 3% of respondents in Northern Ireland were considered to be a problem gambler, the Northern Ireland Research Agency (NISRA) has revealed.
This figure is similar to that in previous years: in 2016, problem gambler levels in Northern Ireland were at 2% and 3% in 2010.
Across England, Scotland and Wales, 2.5% of respondents in 2023 were found to be problem gamblers, according to the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB).
What is the PGSI?
The PGSI assesses how prevalent problem gambling is within a population.
It asks respondents to assess their own gambling habits over the previous 12 months.
The questions are then scored and any total PGSI score above eight puts the individual in the "problem gambler" group.
Mr Kerr, who was a champion runner for Ireland in the European Cross Country, has been recovering from his gambling addiction for more than 15 years.
Despite rehab intervention, Mr Kerr, like many addicts, found himself battling multiple addictions including alcohol and drugs.
In 2021 he sought further help from Cuan Mhuire which he credits with saving his life.
'Don't wait to hit rock bottom'
Mr Kerr described gambling addiction as a "weird one" compared to alcohol and drug addictions because it can be so easily hidden.
The 32 year old said that having good people around him has been key to his recovery.
Going forward Mr Kerr said he would like to see greater support for those affected and encouraged women to talk more about gambling addiction to help address the stigma associated with the illness.
"An addiction's an addiction, you're sick, you need help and once you reach out then you have to grab it with both hands."
Mr Kerr has used social media to reach out and support people going through addiction.
"Don't suffer in silence, reach out, but reach out to the right people, be it to gamblers anonymous groups or somebody going through recovery online.
"Don't wait to hit rock bottom for every rock bottom is a trap door," he said.
What else did the statistics reveal?
In 2024, 57% of surveyed adults said they gambled in the last 12 months, which is a decrease from the 2016 and 2010 survey, the Nisra study suggests.
The most popular method of gambling in 2024 was in-person with National Lottery draw tickets being the most common gambling type.
Despite new laws in 2022 allowing betting shops and bingo halls in Northern Ireland to open later on a Sunday, 89% of surveyed adults said they have never bet on a Sunday.
What are NI's gambling laws?
- The current laws contained in the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order date back to 1985
- There is no single independent regulatory body for gambling in Northern Ireland
- Courts and councils license gambling activities, the Department for Communities is responsible for track betting licences and enforcement lies with the police
- The 1985 order predates the development of the internet and therefore contains no provisions relating to online gambling
- NI consumers are offered some protection through laws in Great Britain
- There are also no provisions requiring the gambling industry in NI to make any contribution to funding support services for problem gambling
- NI laws were last updated in 2022 to allow for extended opening hours for bookmakers and bingo halls
