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Irish regulator criticized for ignoring gambling harm
Ireland’s Regulator of the National Lottery has been accused of covering up potential harms associated with gambling and portraying an overly positive image of the National Lottery in its annual reports.
The research has been conducted by various Irish academics and published on the HRB National Drugs Library website under the title: “Complicit in the charade: a critical content analysis of the annual reports of Ireland’s Regulator of the National Lottery 2014-2024”.
The research concluded that the regulator’s reports strongly emphasize prize-winning, good causes, and institutional governance, but there are almost no references to addiction, danger, or gambling-related harm.
Findings suggest that the language of the reports is imbalanced, with references to good cause having increased fivefold in the 2024 report compared to 2015, while mentions of problematic play declined during the same period.
Academics also stress that underage gambling is not properly addressed, and the reports minimize the seriousness of the issue.
The Regulator of the National Lottery responded to the accusations, stating that its reports are produced with audited accounts and the language used reflects statutory requirements.
The regulator also mentioned the measures it takes to implement compliance and address underage play.
Ireland’s gambling industry is estimated to generate €10 billion annually, with National Lottery sales accounting for around €1 billion.
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