The Irish senate, the Seanad Éireann of the Oireachtas, will consider a proposed ban on lottery betting in Ireland.
Currently, most EU countries have prohibited lottery betting due to its detrimental effect on funding for good causes and the commissions of local lottery-licensed retail agents.
According to the latest data from the National Lottery operator, lottery betting reduces funding for good causes by 20% each year.
RGDATA’s Appeal
In a letter to Paschal Donohoe, Tara Buckley, director general of The Retail Grocery Dairy & Allied Trades Association (RGDATA), urged a ban on lottery betting, stating:
“Rather than allowing Ireland to remain behind in EU terms by continuing to permit Lottery Betting, doesn’t it make perfect sense to seize this legislative opportunity to prohibit the practice?”
Buckley highlighted that Minister Browne had expressed he couldn’t move forward on the issue without Donohoe’s approval.
“With the clear benefits a ban would bring, is this a chance you can afford to miss?”
She hopes Donohoe will now address the issue through collaboration with colleagues in the Department of Justice as the Bill returns to the Seanad for the Report Stage.
Committee Stage Debate
During the Committee Stage Debate on the Gambling Regulation Bill in the Seanad on 26 September 2024, Senator Barry Ward introduced Amendment No. 113.
This amendment aims to ensure that entities regulated by the Bill would be prohibited from offering gambling on the National Lottery unless explicitly authorised under Part 7 of the National Lottery Act 2013.
If passed, the amendment would ban Lottery Betting by unauthorised entities.
James Browne TD, Minister of State at the Department of Justice, acknowledged the amendment’s intent but noted that the issue fell under the responsibility of Minister Donohoe, who oversees Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery, and Reform.
Minister Browne committed to discussing the amendment with Donohoe, prompting Senator Ward to temporarily withdraw it, with plans to reintroduce it at the Report Stage.
In 2022, Senator Ward had previously introduced the Lottery Amendment Bill, aiming to “prohibit the use of commercial or private gambling or betting operations on the infrastructure established by the National Lottery.”
However the proposal was rejected by Green Party Minister Ossian Smyth.
At the time, the Irish Bookmakers Association said:
“A ban on lottery betting would be a loss in consumer choice, a net loss to Revenue, and the potential loss of hundreds of jobs. Crucially, it will not have the desired policy outcome of increasing the Good Causes Fund.”
Olivia has worked as an editor and writer for major brands across multiple niches. She now focuses on the iGaming and sports betting industries.
