Irish web techie aids compulsive online gambling

Irish web techie Peter Hamilton (34) has launched a new internet service which he claims takes the drudgery and danger out of voluntary exclusion from gambling websites.

Hamilton says that problem gamblers face a daunting task in contacting possibly hundreds of online gambling sites in order to self-exclude, and additionally risk the dangers of further exposing their vulnerability through relapsing in their attempts to kick the betting bug.

His solution is to invite them to contact him and he will use technology to do the job for them.

Hamilton works closely with the Dunlewey addiction counselling service in Belfast, and has set up a website at www.onlinegamblingaddiction.net through which online punters who feel they may have a problem can seek his help.

He then saves them the hassle of self-excluding by contacting regulated internet and mobile gambling sites in the UK and Ireland requesting they be locked out.

“My service bars people online from gambling – it is their decision, they need help, so as a support role I can advise them,” Hamilton explained to local media this week. “I send off emails on their behalf to websites with gambling – phone casino, online bingo, online poker – aiming to get [the problem gambler] barred off both the site and gaming network.

“Once I get a reply and genuine permission and the go ahead I send the emails out on their behalf; the replies all come back to them. At the moment I am getting referrals from counsellors to use my service as a preventative measure.”

Hamilton hopes to obtain funding from the Irish Health and Safety Executive to further expands his project.