Methodology

This page sets out how we gather, weigh and present evidence — particularly on the statistics page.

Source hierarchy

1. Irish statutory and regulatory publications (GRAI, HSE, HRB).
2. Peer-reviewed studies and ESRI working papers on Irish populations.
3. Government statistics (CSO, Revenue) for context and denominators.
4. UK Gambling Commission GSGB and other international comparators — used only for cautious comparison.
5. Established Irish support providers for service-related facts.

Ranges vs point estimates

Gambling prevalence research is methodologically variable. We present ranges rather than single point estimates wherever the underlying studies disagree by more than a small margin. We round conservatively and avoid extrapolation.

What we will not publish

• Figures we cannot trace to a public source.
• Private operator data without an independently reviewed methodology.
• "Industry estimates" presented as prevalence.
• Forecasts dressed as observations.

Service directory inclusion

The criteria for inclusion in our service directory are published in our service inclusion policy. Inclusion is free; we do not accept payment for placements.

Conflict of interest

We do not accept funding, sponsorship, advertising or in-kind support from gambling operators or their trade bodies. Any other material relationship that could be reasonably read as a conflict will be disclosed on the relevant page.

Reviewing and updating

Long-form content carries a visible "last reviewed" date. Pillar and YMYL pages are scheduled for at least annual review, and out-of-cycle review when Irish law, regulation or services materially change.

Known limits

• Irish longitudinal prevalence data is limited.
• "Affected others" (family per harmed gambler) estimates rely on international literature.
• Product-level harm disaggregation for Ireland specifically is sparse.

See also our editorial policy.