Problem Gambling Worries Raised By New Irish Regulator
Ireland’s new gambling regulator has raised concerns about data showing the extent to which betting is a problem in the country.
Key Facts:
- The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) was created last year and is still being formed
- Under the country’s Gambling Regulation Act of 2024, a new ‘Social Impact Fund’ (SMG) has been created
- GRAI wants input from stakeholders and individuals on SMG
- Revenues from the fund are due to come from industry stakeholders and the money will finance research projects
GRAI says that it is “understandably concerned” about new estimates of problem gambling in Ireland, with research showing one in 30 adults suffer from betting-related harm.
The body, which was formed as a result of Ireland passing its Gambling Regulation Act of 2024, acknowledged that problem gambling has been found to be 10 times greater than a previous estimate that had been laid out in the 2019-20 Irish National Drug and Alcohol Survey.
GRAI is progressing with setting up an annual Social Impact Fund contribution that will have to be paid by gambling providers operating in the country.
The payments will be based on the turnover of each business but GRAI is asking companies to offer feedback on how the SMG should operate.
Four Questionnaires
As part of setting up the SMG, the GRAI says Pobal will be carrying out an assessment of need that will be based on a series of questionnaires.
The four questionnaires are aiming to reach different representative groups and individuals in Irish society, such as people who have a lived experience of gambling harm or addiction.
NGOs, charities and sporting organisations will also be asked to offer their contributions to one of the questionnaires as part of the process.
The GRAI chief executive, Anne Marie Caulfield, explained how the SMG process is intended to work.
She said in a statement: “This call for input aims to develop an initial assessment of need, and we will be consulting widely with stakeholders. It will inform our funding strategy and ensure that we allocate funding in the most useful and impactful way.”
“Pobal has an excellent track record in managing and administering government and EU funding aimed at social inclusion and community development. This experience will be very beneficial to us as we undertake this important work.”
New Premises And First MOU
It is a busy time for GRAI, which has also moved from its former Department of Justice premises into different offices, as well as migrating off the same department’s IT network.
GRAI recently also confirmed that it has formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), which is designed to share knowledge, expertise and information.
UKGC and UKGC are aiming for closer working relationships which they hope will boost each regulatory body’s ability to perform their respective duties and functions.
While that is the first MOU to be signed by the GRAI, the body intends to secure more similar agreements with countries across Europe in the near future.
