Over 40% of Irish people are gambling at least once a month according to a new Government survey.

The report found that more than two-thirds of the population gamble at least once a year - with lottery tickets or scratch cards the most popular method.

The Department of Health said the survey provides the first full picture of the extent of gambling in Ireland.

The survey finds that people aged between 55 and 64-years-old are most likely to gamble on at least a monthly basis.

Meanwhile, young men aged between 18 and 24-years-old are most likely to gamble online or by telephone.

Gambling laws

Publishing the results, David Stanton, Minister of State at the Department of Justice said increased regulation of the gambling industry is a priority for the Government.

"This is especially important for the small percentage of people for whom gambling can negatively affect significant areas of their lives including their mental and physical health, employment, finances and relationships with others," he said.

"This survey, and the continued future gathering of this data, will greatly aid our understanding of the issue and help us plan our interventions accordingly.”

Young men aged between 15 and 34-years-old are most likely to spend more than €250 a year placing bets on sporting events at bookmaker's shops.

Over 15% of young men said they had engaged  in this form of gambling in the past 12 months - more than double the amount of men aged 35-64 who reported the same.

Gambling and wealth

The Minister of State with responsibility for drug strategy said it was 'particularly interesting' that middle management senior civil servants, managers and owners of their own business were most likely to engage in gambling.

Meanwhile, she said, semi-skilled and unskilled manual workers, trainees and apprentices were least likely.

She said the finding highlights the need for an evidence-based approach to Irish gambling legislation.

"For the small percentage of people for whom gambling is a problem, we need measures to reduce problem gambling and its impact on individuals and their families," she said.

"For this, the collection of data is very important."

Regulation

Deputy Stanton said he expects to bring a new report on Ireland's gambling laws to Government before long.

He said the report considers issues relating to the introduction of a modern licensing approach to gambling - including advertising.

It will also examine the potential introduction of independent regulatory authority - and enhancing the protections for consumers and vulnerable people.