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News and Publications
Ó Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland
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Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
All GRAI documentation and publications are available on our searchable publications page here
As of the 23rd October 2024, the Gambling Regulation Act has become law.
This is a major milestone for the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. Over the coming months we eagerly await the appointment of the Authority and the commencement of operations on a phased basis.
When established, the GRAI will begin the roll out of a new Licensing Application process. To assist in our preparations and in ensuring a scalable, efficient and effective roll out we are requesting all interested parties to register their interest for a licence in the Irish market. The objective of this survey is:
- To estimate the number of potential applicants for each licence type
- To generate a mailing list which will inform potential applicants of any developments in the licencing process
All roles within the GRAI will be advertised on the Public Appointment Service. You can access PAS here
Here you can find periodical Newsletters published by the GRAI with the latest news and important information for the public, future licensees and interested stakeholders
GRAI newsletter - Issue 2
Issue 2
Íosluchtaigh nasc le haghaidh
Íoslódáil
féachaint ar an gcomhad
Amharc
GRAI newsletter - Issue 1
Issue 1
Íosluchtaigh nasc le haghaidh
Íoslódáil
féachaint ar an gcomhad
Amharc
The Programme for Government commits to establishing ‘a gambling regulator focused on public safety and well-being, covering gambling online and in-person, and the powers to regulate advertising, gambling websites and apps’.
A Social Impact Fund will be funded by mandatory contributions by Licensees. Contributions will not be levied on charitable/philanthropic licensees. The purpose of the Fund is to finance research and related initiatives to reduce and eliminate compulsive and excessive gambling, to support awareness–raising and educational measures and to support problem gambling treatment activities. The fund will be administered by the Authority and will operate a comprehensive grants management system for the purpose of awarding grants via the fund.
The bill also provides for the establishment and operation of the ‘National Gambling Exclusion Register’. The Register will allow persons to register with the Authority to exclude themselves from gambling online with licensees. The Register will be software based and remote licensees must comply with the terms of the Register, ensure their IT systems and software are compatible and can interact with the Authority’s systems as a requirement of holding a licence
On 19 October 2021, the Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Gambling Regulation Bill and for the legislation to proceed for drafting by the Office of the Attorney General.
The purpose of the legislation is to provide for an improved and modern approach to the licensing and regulation of gambling in Ireland today – one that reflects the reality of the various gambling activities available in the State and recognises the impact of technology on the conduct of such activities.
The legislation sets out the framework and legislative basis for the establishment of a new independent, statutory body – the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (“the Authority”) – and for a robust regulatory and licensing regime for the gambling sector.
- Final report on the establishment of a modern regulatory environment and authority for all gambling activities licensed in Ireland (Facilitated with the financial support of the European Commission Directorate General for Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM)).
The Joint Committee on Justice has published its Report on Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Gambling Regulation Bill:
As part of the pre-legislative scrutiny process, Oireachtas hearings took place 8 March and 22 March, 2022 and the transcript of both can be accessed below:
Both sessions are also recorded and available to play back on the Oireachtas website
The Bill was approved for publication in November 2022, completed Second Stage in Dáil Éireann in December 2022 and Committee Stage in Dáil Éireann in July 2023.
The Bill reached Report Stage in the Dáil on the 24th April 2024, with amendments taken and passed Dáil Éireann on the 1st May 2024. The Bill has passed the Seanad as of 8th October 2024.
A copy of the Bill, enacted as of 23rd Oct 2024 can be viewed here: Gambling Regulation Act
Obligations on Licensee in relation to Gambling Advertisements is covered under Part 6 of the Gambling Regulation Act. The GRAI will take complaints regarding breaches of obligation when Part 7 of the Act is commenced.
If you have a complaint regarding content in a gambling advertisements at present, you can make a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA)
here : Make a Complaint - Advertising Standards Authority
The ASA Code, Section 10 here covers gambling related material and can be found here: Gambling - ASA Code - Advertising Standards Authority
The GRAI and ASA have entered a partnership with regards to complaints and further details can be found here:
- September 2022: Minister Browne announces Anne Marie Caulfield as CEO Designate
- November 2022: Government approves publication of gambling regulation bill
As we await the the establishment of the Authority, substantial work has been undertaken across our key functional areas, such as
• We have undertaken extensive stakeholder engagement with other gambling regulators, industry participants, health care professionals, gambling care experts, and other public bodies. This has allowed us to understand the views and concerns of various stakeholders as well as learning from the lived experiences of people harmed by gambling and the experiences of regulators in other jurisdictions. This engagement will continue as we establish on a statutory basis.
• The Regulator is committed to a regulatory regime which is evidenced based. The establishment of a research steering committee and the commissioning and publication of reports on gambling in Ireland from the Economic and Social Research Institute has given us a clearer picture of gambling in Ireland. This research will be instrumental in providing an evidence basis for our approach to regulation, education, and awareness.
• We have undertaken substantial work towards the establishment of a licensing regime for the sector. This work includes the publication of a licencing interest survey, numerous contacts with potential licensees, and substantial work in developing a robust licence application process.
• We have also finalised the draft Codes of Practice for operators which will be issued for public consultation when approved by the Authority.
• We are working toward establishment of a Gambling Exclusion Scheme which is an important tool in helping people who believe they have a problem with gambling. It is extremely important that the exclusion scheme is easy to use for both the person gambling and the licensees. Our work in this area has included stakeholder engagement and exploring Gambling Exclusion Schemes in other jurisdictions.
• We are developing an administration model for the operation of the Social Impact Fund, which will support the consumer protection mandate of the GRAI by funding education and awareness programmes.
• We are developing financial modelling and a licencing fee structure to support the GRAI’s future self-financing status.
• We are developing a plan for the roll-out of Education and Awareness initiatives that will be evidence based and benefit young people and wider society’
- June 2023 ESRI Report - Problem Gambling: A Narrative Review of Important Policy-Relevant Issues
- October 2023: ESRI Report - Measures of problem gambling, gambling behaviours and perceptions of gambling in Ireland
- June 2024: ESRI Working Paper: Childhood Gambling Experiences and Adult Problem Gambling
Problem Gambling: A Narrative Review of Important Policy-Relevant Issues
'Problem Gambling Literature Review' is the first in a series of studies that the ESRI has been commissioned to undertake over the coming months. This review was commissioned through the Department of Justice and the Implementation Team supporting the establishment of Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI).
Research is a vital element of policy development and, in particular, it helps to ensure that the measures introduced as a result will be appropriately targeted in terms of protecting children and individuals who are vulnerable to the harms associated with excessive gambling.
Education, awareness-raising and research with regard to gambling and, in particular with the associated risks, will be a key function of the GRAI when it is established.
Therefore, this is a significant milestone for the GRAI Implementation Team, as it continues the preparatory work, in tandem with the envisaged passage of the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022, to ensure that the GRAI will be in a position to commence its work once the legislation is commenced and the members of the Authority are appointed.
Measures of problem gambling, gambling behaviours and perceptions of gambling in Ireland
The main aim of the Problem Gambling ESRI Study on Problem Gambling , undertaken by the Economic and Social Research Institute, is to measure the prevalence of Problem Gambling in Ireland. Secondary aims of the research include providing measures of gambling activity and perceptions of gambling among the general population.
To meet the threshold for Problem Gambling, individuals must report multiple negative behaviours or experiences associated with their gambling (e.g., borrowing in order to fund their gambling). Based on the sample, this report estimates that 3.3% of the adult population are people with Problem Gambling (with a 95% confidence interval of 2.5–4.0%). This estimate is more than ten times higher than previous estimates of Problem Gambling in Ireland, when measured in person in 2019 as part of the National Drug and Alcohol Survey (NDAS) (0.3%). The report discusses multiple possible reasons for the difference, including increased anonymity associated with online surveys and sample selection issues.
The figure of 3.3% equates to 1 in 30 adults, or 130,000 people, with Problem Gambling in Ireland. In addition, the report records a further 7.1% (95% confidence interval: 6.0–8.2%) of the adult population who report multiple problematic behaviours and experiences but fall short of the threshold for Problem Gambling (i.e., they show moderate evidence of PG). This equates to 279,000 people with moderate evidence of PG. The report record another 15% (confidence interval: 13.4–16.5%) of adults (590,000) who report at least one negative experience or behaviour.
Childhood Gambling Experiences and Adult Problem Gambling
The findings of this study: ESRI: Childhood Gambling Experiences and Adult Problem Gambling adds to the weight of evidence pointing towards a link between childhood experiences of gambling and problem gambling in adulthood. This in turn illustrated the importance of minimising the exposure of children to gambling in order to reduce their risk of developing problem gambling.
This paper shows strong links between childhood experiences of gambling and PG in adulthood. Those who gambled before the age of 18 are almost twice as likely to have problem gambling, as are those who had a parent who gambled with high intensity during the person’s childhood. Those whose parents had a more positive attitude towards gambling are also at an increased risk of having problem gambling.