Ireland's lottery betting loophole drains millions from public funds and jobs

Bookmakers profit while Ireland's National Lottery bleeds €289M a year. Could a ban finally close this controversial gap?

, and Administrator

2026 May 1 . 5:02 PM

1 min read

The image shows a black and white newspaper advertisement for a lottery ticket with a lot of... — The image shows a black and white newspaper advertisement for a lottery ticket with a lot of numbers on it. The paper has text and numbers written on it, likely indicating the results of the lottery.

Ireland's lottery betting loophole drains millions from public funds and jobs

Ireland remains one of the few EU countries where betting on lottery outcomes is still legal. While 25 out of 27 member states have banned the practice, Irish bookmakers continue to accept wagers on lottery draws. This has led to significant financial losses for the National Lottery and the state’s public funds. Last year, bookmakers in Ireland handled €828 million in bets tied to lottery results. Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI), which runs the National Lottery, estimates that €289 million in annual sales have shifted away from its own operations because of this betting activity. As a result, the state has missed out on €12.7 million in tax revenue, while public programmes have received €81 million less in funding.

Retailers selling lottery tickets have also suffered, losing €238 million in sales. The decline has contributed to a reduction of 1,929 jobs across the sector. PLI warns that the current regulatory gap could reduce the value of the lottery licence by between €118 million and €250 million.

The National Lottery has raised concerns about consumer confusion, as many bettors may not fully understand the differences between official lottery games and bookmaker offerings. Research suggests that 35% of those placing bets on lottery outcomes would instead buy official lottery tickets if the alternative did not exist. The ongoing legal betting on lottery draws continues to impact Ireland’s National Lottery, retailers, and state finances. With most EU countries having already banned the practice, the financial strain on public funds and local businesses remains a key issue for policymakers.