According to a recent study commissioned by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), the harm caused by gambling in Ireland is significantly more serious than previously thought. According to research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), 3.1% of people are seriously harmed by gambling, and another 7% are moderately harmed. These organizations collectively generate over half of the total revenue generated by the gaming industry.
Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO of GRAI, emphasized the shocking findings, stating, “The extent of problem gambling in Ireland was much higher than previously thought. It was 10 times higher than had been previously thought.” She also highlighted the risks of early exposure, noting that individuals who gamble before 18 are twice as likely to develop gambling problems later in life.
Strengthening Regulations to Protect Consumers
The GRAI, which officially launched this month, is set to overhaul Ireland’s outdated gambling laws, many of which have remained unchanged since the 1950s. The authority will oversee licensing, introduce a national gambling exclusion register, and establish a social impact fund to support addiction treatment. New regulations will also impose stricter advertising restrictions to curb gambling-related harm.
Problem gambling among women remains a growing concern, often hidden due to stigma. Claire Donegan, project lead for the EmpowerHer Recovery Network, noted that many women find it difficult to discuss gambling-related financial struggles. Caulfield echoed this concern, stating, “The stigma attached to problem gambling is so difficult. It’s important people understand it as a health issue.”
Under the new framework, all gambling operators—both online and retail—must obtain a license from GRAI. Non-compliance could lead to hefty fines of up to €20 million or 10% of total revenue, whichever is higher. The licensing process will include corporate, financial, and technical assessments, along with background checks on key personnel. Regulators will closely examine companies with past violations, particularly those penalized in the UK for anti-money laundering or consumer protection failures.
Caulfield stressed the importance of ongoing oversight, saying, “It won’t just be a question of licensing and a once-off check. The compliance regime must be robust, and it must pick up any breaches.”
Additionally, charities and sports clubs running lotteries will eventually be required to register with GRAI. However, this measure will take several years to implement, and the regulator has promised a smooth transition for non-profits.
The GRAI aims to become financially self-sufficient within three years, relying on application and licensing fees rather than taxpayer funding. “We absolutely intend to be self-financing, hopefully sooner than three years,” Caulfield said.
As the regulator begins its work, Caulfield reaffirmed its mission to protect vulnerable individuals and ensure operators meet strict compliance standards. “We owe it to those people to do our job properly,” she said. “And we’ll certainly be making every effort to do that over the coming years.”
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