Development of a novel initiative spearheaded by the Commission.
Unleashing the Power Against Gambling Addiction: Ireland's Social Impact FundBy Yannick Schroth, Rewritten by BetaBot, Published on: 24.04.2025. Updated on: 24.04.2025.
- Reach out to Affected Individuals, Families, NGOs, and Expertise Centers on Social Impact Fund
- Nearly 1 in 30 Irish Adults Struggle with Gambling Addiction
- Gambling Providers to Support Research and Prevention with Mandatory Levy
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) is striking a dialogue with those touched by gambling addiction, family members, non-profit organizations, and experts in the field [English link]. They're seeking insights on the blueprint for the new Social Impact Fund, a fund established under the 2024 Gambling Regulation Act and financed through a compulsory levy from all licensed gambling providers.
The goal, as stated by GRAI, is to prop up a multitude of strategies for eradicating gambling addiction's grip and offering support for education and research.
Gauging Society's Needs: Four Questionnaires
To pinpoint gambling addiction's impact on society, GRAI has rolled out four insightful questionnaires to gather perspectives from individuals with personal gambling experiences, their relatives, treatment centers, and organizations working with at-risk groups. While participation is optional, positive responses could open doors for further engagement.
"People are sacrificing their child benefits to gamble, and the stigma tied to problematic gambling is intense. It's crucial to appreciated it as a health issue that deserves attention and care." - Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO of Irish Gambling Regulatory Authority, Irish Examiner*
These surveys are live until May 15, with Pobal orchestrating their execution and evaluation on behalf of GRAI. According to GRAI, this approach guarantees funds are channeled where they're most urgently required.
Industry Sharing the Burden - No Taxpayer Involvement
The funding for the fund, political decision-makers emphasize, will be borne exclusively by the gambling industry, avoiding any additional burden on taxpayers [English link].
The levy will be assessed as a percentage of licensees' revenues, with the precise amount to be set by the Department of Justice. Charitable lottery organizations are exempt, while the leftover balances from closed player accounts must be transferred to the fund by law. GRAI oversees the fund's operation, with the Department of Justice monitoring the distribution of funds.
Unmasking the Extent of the Problem
The survey targets a particular issue: A study by GRAI from October 2023 states that approximately 3.3% of Ireland's adult population struggles with problematic gambling behavior - roughly equivalent to one in 30 adults. This figure is around ten times higher than previous estimates [English link] before the pandemic.
Astonishingly, surveys also revealed that youth exposed to gambling at a young age are at a higher risk of later addiction. Almost two-thirds of respondents reported starting to gamble before the age of 18, and a third noted at least one parent regularly engaging in gambling activities.
Parallels with the British model - But Also Doubts
Ireland's approach bears a striking resemblance to the British model, which embedded a levy of 1.1% of gross gaming income since April 2023. However, some UK researchers voice concerns that the close connection between research funding and the industry could compromise the integrity of scientific work.
To counteract these concerns, the GRAI is devising extra measures to ensure research and prevention initiatives are evidence-based, ethical, and free from industry interference. Among these measures is an advisory panel composed exclusively of affected individuals and former players.
- The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) is engaging with affected individuals, families, non-profit organizations, and experts in the field, seeking their input on the blueprint for the new Social Impact Fund.
- In the surveys aimed at understanding gambling addiction's impact on Irish society, GRAI reveals approximately 3.3% of the adult population struggles with problematic gambling behavior, a figure significantly higher than previous estimates.
- By establishing the Social Impact Fund, GRAI aims to eradicate gambling addiction's grip and offer support for education and research, with the funding borne exclusively by the gambling industry to avoid any additional burden on taxpayers.
- Apart from supporting research and prevention, GRAI is also addressing concerns about the close connection between research funding and the industry by devising extra measures to ensure the integrity, evidence-based nature, and independence of research and prevention initiatives.
