Seanad to consider ban on bookmakers accepting bets on National Lottery
In a letter to Paschal Donohoe, RGDATA’s Tara Buckley urges a ban on Lottery Betting, highlighting its detrimental effect on funding for Good Causes and commissions for Retail Agents
Print4 October 2024
Tomorrow (Tuesday, 8 October), the Seanad will consider a potential ban on bookmakers accepting bets on the National Lottery.
Currently, most EU countries prohibit this practice due to its negative impact on funding for Good Causes and Retail Agents’ commissions.
The latest information available from the National Lottery operator shows that the practice of Lottery Betting reduces Good Causes funding by 20% annually.
RGDATA letter
In a letter that RGDATA sent to Paschal Donohoe seeking a ban on Lottery Betting, Tara Buckley, director general, said: “Rather than continuing to allow Ireland be a laggard in EU terms in continuing to allow Lottery Betting, does it not make eminent sense to use the current legislative opportunity to outlaw this practice.”
Buckley noted that Minister Browne was clear in indicating that he cannot proceed with the matter without Donohoe’s agreement.
“Given the significant positive outcome that such a ban would yield, is this an opportunity that you can afford to miss?” said Buckley.
Buckley hopes that Donohoe will be prepared to address this issue now through engagement and cooperation with his Government colleagues in the Department of Justice when this Bill comes back before the Seanad at Report Stage.
Committee Stage Debate
During the Committee Stage Debate on the Gambling Regulation Bill in the Seanad on 26 September 262024, Senator Barry Ward proposed Amendment No. 113.
This amendment aimed to clarify that entities regulated by the Bill cannot offer gambling on the National Lottery unless specifically authorised under Part 7 of the National Lottery Act 2013.
It would ban Lottery Betting by these entities unless they had the proper authorisation.
Minister of State at the Department of Justice, James Browne TD, acknowledged the amendment’s intent but stated it fell under the remit of Minister Donohoe, responsible for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery, and Reform.
Minister Browne agreed to discuss the amendment with Donohoe, leading Senator Ward to withdraw it for now, with plans to resubmit it at the Report Stage.
Buckley emphasised that this was a crucial opportunity to address practices that harm the State’s Lottery, undermine funding for Good Causes, and negatively impact local retailers who sell National Lottery products.
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