RGDATA urges Seanad to progress bill to stop bookies taking bets on National Lottery draws
Each year, up to €140 million is lost to the National Lottery through bets placed through bookmakers
Print8 June 2021
The RGDATA has urged the Seanad to progress a bill drafted by Senator Barry Ward to stop licensed bookmakers from taking bets on National Lottery draws, as it has warned that good causes and retailers are losing out.
Each year, up to €140 million is lost to the National Lottery through bets on draws placed through bookies, it said. This involves a loss of €40 million to good causes and a loss of €112 million in sales through retail agents. This equates to an average annual loss of €20,000 in lottery sales for each retail agent, with a direct loss of over €1,200 in retail commissions.
In a statement, director general of the RGDATA Tara Buckley said: “RGDATA is asking the Seanad to initiate proceedings to get this Bill drafted into law and ban this practice. As it stands the average loss to a retail agent is €20,000 in sales and missing out on €1,200 sales commission every year. What is even more annoying is the loss of €40 million for good causes.”
The RGDATA is the representative association for over 4,000 independent family-owned grocery shops, convenience stores, forecourt stores and supermarkets in Ireland.
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