Ireland National Lottery Urges Ban on Betting on Official Draws

The Ireland National Lottery has formally called on the government to prohibit bookmakers and betting apps from offering fixed-odds wagers on its draw results, citing substantial revenue diversion that harms good causes, retailers, and the broader economy.

This push, backed by independent research from Indecon International Economic and Strategic Consultants, highlights how "lottery bookmaking" — technically treated as sports betting — allows players to wager on official lottery outcomes without purchasing tickets directly from the operator. The practice is estimated to have siphoned nearly €289 million (about US$250.6 million) in potential lottery sales in 2024 alone.

Key Takeaways:

• Revenue Impact: The diversion is projected to reduce funding for Good Causes by approximately €81 million and cut official retail sales by €238 million.
• Broader Effects: It threatens around 1,929 jobs in retail and beneficiary sectors, lowers economic output, and diminishes the value of the National Lottery license to the state.
• Societal Role: Officials stress the National Lottery’s regulated model supports community initiatives, sports clubs, youth centers, arts, and health services far more effectively than secondary betting channels.

Financial Stakes for Good Causes

In a statement, National Lottery CEO Cian Murphy emphasized the operator’s positive contributions: over €15 billion in economic output since 2018 and support for thousands of jobs. “Lottery betting in bookmakers is a very real risk to this ecosystem,” Murphy said, noting that 59% of funded good causes rely on this revenue for uninterrupted services.

The call to action is directed at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Bookmakers counter that their activities are legal, taxed, and contribute to public coffers, but the Lottery argues the model undermines the licensed monopoly intended to maximize returns for societal benefit.

Regulatory and Industry Implications

This development could influence similar debates in other jurisdictions where secondary betting on lottery draws occurs. Industry observers see this as a significant regulatory milestone, pitting the core mission of state lotteries—funding public good through transparent, regulated play—against commercial betting interests. A decision could reshape revenue flows and player engagement models in Ireland’s lottery sector.

Sources:

• Lottery Post (June 11, 2026): https://www.lotterypost.com/news/359701
• Ireland National Lottery official communications via Indecon report summary.