Gambling addiction is fast becoming the public health issue of a generation, according to the Rutland centre.

The Dublin facility has said the number of people addicted to gambling here in Ireland is on the increase.

It is believed there is around 40,000 problem gamblers here - with men traditionally the most commonly affected - but gambling amongst women is also on the rise.

The Rutland Centre wants the industry - which is worth billions of euro - to be regulated.

Maebh Leahy is CEO of the Rutland Centre: “Gambling as far as I can see is fast becoming the public health issue of the generation.

“Numbers presenting for treatment are increasing year on year we are seeing a huge increase, 9% of our clients are presenting with problem gambling as their primary addiction now and that’s a drop in the ocean.”