Commission's Involvement in Crafting a Novel Initiative
Let's Chat About Ireland's Gambling Regulation FundBy Yannick Schroth, Edited by Angela Burke(Originally Published: 24.04.2025. Last updated on: 24.04.2025)
GRAI consults the affected, relatives, and experts on Ireland's Social Impact FundDid you know that approximately 3.3% of Irish adults are problem gamblers?
It's time to take action, and that's precisely what the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) is doing. They've launched a consultation on designing the new Social Impact Fund, aimed at supporting prevention and treatment of gambling addiction among other initiatives.
GRAI's New Fund
The funding for this initiative will come from a mandatory levy on all licensed gambling providers, ensuring the industry foots the bill. The fund's goal is to prevent, treat, and educate about gambling addiction, while also supporting research projects.
Four surveys are underway to gauge societal needs:
- For those with personal gambling experience
- For relatives
- For treatment facilities
- For organizations working with at-risk groups
Participation is voluntary, yet it opens the door for further consultation if desired.
Industry Funding - No Extra Burden on Taxpayers
Good news for taxpayers! The gambling industry will shoulder the cost of the fund, keeping the government's pocketbook intact. The exact levy percentage will be decided by the Department of Justice, while non-cashable balances from closed player accounts will also contribute to the fund.
When Problem Gambling Soars
New research findings reveal that Ireland has a much larger number of problem gamblers than previously thought - about 3.3% of adults. This number is roughly ten times higher than pre-pandemic estimates. Moreover, childhood gaming experiences have been linked to a significant increase in the likelihood of developing later gambling addiction.
Keeping Research Independent
Critics fear that the close link between research funds and the gambling industry could compromise the independence of scientific work. To address these concerns, GRAI is taking steps to ensure the evidence-based, ethically grounded orientation of its research and prevention work. Specialised advisory bodies will be established, including one composed solely of affected individuals and former players.
The Irish model largely mirrors the British model, which has had a mandatory levy of 1.1% of gross gaming revenue since April 2024. However, researchers have expressed worries about the potential impact of industry influence on research independence in the UK. GRAI assures that it is taking additional steps to safeguard the integrity of its research initiatives.
Stay tuned for updates on GRAI's measures to ensure the independence and ethical standards of research in gambling addiction prevention.
[Source: GRAI/grai.ie, iGamingBusiness [English link], Exact percentages to be decided by the Department of Justice]
[1] https://www.pobal.ie/[2] https://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/CCPC[3] https://www.dohc.ie/Publications-and-Reports/Expert-Group-on-Mental-Health-Legislation-2019---Report.pdf[4] https://www.wageringiq.com/news/eu-gambling-markets-france-germany-italy/
- What would be the best approach to support the prevention and treatment of gambling addiction in Ireland, as well as other initiatives? - GRAI's New Fund
- Did you know that Ireland has a larger number of problem gamblers than previously thought, with approximately 3.3% of adults being problem gamblers? - When Problem Gambling Soars
- Are you aware that the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) is launching a consultation to design a new Social Impact Fund, funded by a mandatory levy on all licensed gambling providers? - GRAI's New Fund
- Are there any concerns regarding the independence of scientific research funded by the gambling industry? - Keeping Research Independent
- Would you like to contribute to strengthening Ireland's approach to health-and-wellness, mental-health, education-and-self-development, personal-growth, career-development, and casino-and-gambling prevention initiatives? - GRAI's New Fund
- Have you heard about the casino-games industry contributing to the Irish Social Impact Fund through non-cashable balances from closed player accounts? - Industry Funding - No Extra Burden on Taxpayers
- Are you interested in learning more about lotteries and their impact on Ireland's gambling addiction prevention measures? - When Problem Gambling Soars and GRAI's New Fund
