PROBLEM gambling is 10 times more common in Ireland than previously thought - with one in 30 adults suffering from negative experiences associated with gambling.

That's according to new research from the ESRI which found problem gamblers were each spending an average of more than 1,000 a month on gambling.

On this morning's (Thursday's) Deise Today, Damien spoke to Barry Grant who is a co-founder of, and counsellor with, free counselling and helpline service 'Extern Problem Gambling'.

Barry described the figures today as a "bombshell" - and you can listen back to his interview with Damien by clicking on the image above.