Alarming Figure Reveals Ireland's Gambling Issues Exceed Previous Assessments
Rewritten Article:
stepping into the spotlight, Ireland's Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRAI) is shaking up the gaming industry with a bold plan to tackle the hidden dangers of gambling. Latest findings from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) reveal that a staggering 3.1% of the populace are grappling with severe gambling issues, with another 7% experiencing moderate harm. This duo alone generates over half of the gaming industry's revenue[1].
Anne Marie Caulfield, GRAI's CEO, dropped a bombshell: "The extent of problem gambling in Ireland was much more severe than previously thought – it was ten times higher!" She also warned about the risks of introducing gambling to minors, stating that those who start gambling before age 18 are twice as likely to develop gambling problems down the line[1].
Driven by this startling revelation, GRAI is ready to revamp Ireland's outdated gambling laws, which remain unchanged since the 1950s. Under its watch, licensing will be overhauled, a national gambling exclusion register established, and a social impact fund created to fund addiction treatment[1]. Furthermore, the new regulations will tighten advertising restrictions to minimize gambling-related harm[1].
Women's problem gambling is emerging as a significant concern, often kept hidden due to stigma. Claire Donegan, the EmpowerHer Recovery Network's project lead, noted that many females struggle to discuss their gambling-related financial troubles. Caulfield echoed this sentiment, stating, "The stigma attached to problem gambling is so overwhelming. It's important for people to understand it as a health issue"[1].
Under the new regulatory framework, all gambling operators – both online and brick-and-mortar – must secure a license from the GRAI[1]. Non-compliance can result in hefty fines of up to €20 million or 10% of total revenue, whichever is higher. The licensing process includes corporate, financial, and technical assessments, along with background checks on key personnel[1]. Regulators will scrutinize companies with past violations, particularly those penalized in the UK for breaches related to anti-money laundering or consumer protection[1].
Caulfield emphasized the importance of ongoing oversight, saying, "It won't just be a one-time check. The compliance regime must be robust, and it must pick up any breaches"[1]. Charities and sports clubs running lotteries will eventually be required to register with GRAI, with a gradual transition promised for non-profits[1].
The GRAI aims to become financially self-sufficient within three years, relying on application and licensing fees instead of taxpayer funding[1]. "We absolutely intend to be self-financing, hopefully sooner than three years," Caulfield said[1].
As GRAI embarks on its mission, Caulfield reaffirmed its goal 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".
In conjunction with its regulatory efforts, GRAI is engaging with the banking sector, promoting gambling transaction blocks, developing a National Gambling Exclusion Register, encouraging the use of gambling blocking software and limiting targeted advertising online to reduce exposure, establishing a Social Impact Fund to address gambling harm, actively soliciting input from stakeholders and the affected community, and collaborating with the industry to implement a comprehensive gambling harm reduction strategy[2][4].
In the plan set forth by Ireland's Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRAI), all gambling operators will be obligated to secure a license, including those offering casino-and-gambling and casino-games, and will face penalties for non-compliance. To further address gambling-related issues, the Authority is encouraging the use of gambling blocking software and limiting targeted advertising online, even for lotteries, to reduce exposure and protect vulnerable individuals.
