Bill to ban bookies betting on National Lottery debated in Seanad

Senators Barry Ward and Micheal Carrigy both highlighted how the National Lottery is driving business and footfall to local, family-owned shops

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The independent retailers’ association RGDATA reports that Seanad nominee Barry Ward’s Bill to ban bookies taking bets on the National Lottery has been advanced to Committee Stage in the Seanad and there was general agreement in a debate last Thursday about the need to support the National Lottery and Good Causes.

Senators Barry Ward and Micheal Carrigy both highlighted the importance of family owned local shops and how the National Lottery is driving business and footfall to them.

“The government is not opposing the Bill but is raising some technical issues which will be addressed before the Bill progresses further,” RGDATA states.

Within the Seanad debate, Senator Barry Ward pointed out: “Although we have mentioned good causes, the social dividend and all the rest of it, we should note the National Lottery provides good to the society and economy of Ireland at all levels because shops we all know, including retail and grocery shops run by locals, including families, are also fed by the lottery. They operate as agents for the national lottery and get a payment if they sell a winning ticket. I am sure they all wish for that to happen, as do the potential winners. More than that, it drives footfall into small local businesses. We know we have a problem with online trading and with large multiples coming in to areas and sucking the life out of villages and towns. The National Lottery is one of the vehicles we can use to ensure that people continue to frequent and spend money in local business and small shops. That is not to be ignored either.”

The Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA) has also lent its support to the Private Members Bill and has communicated the association’s reasons to Senators Ward and Carrigy and spoken with them.

“The government of Ireland owns the brand and needs to actively protect it,” the CSNA said.

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