Lottery betting drains €81 million from Good Causes, new research shows

28th April 2026) - The National Lottery is calling on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) to take action following the release of its Socio-Economic Impact Assessment Report. The study, carried out by Indecon International Economic and Strategic Consultants, shows the significant positive societal contribution that the National Lottery continues to have right across Ireland, supporting over €15 billion in economic output since 2018 and 18,000 jobs in 2024.

Negative Impact of Lottery Betting

While the National Lottery continues to make a substantial impact, it is being undermined by lottery betting, the practice of betting on National Lottery games in bookmakers. This practice, which is already outlawed in 25 out of 27 EU states, is having a significant negative impact on National Lottery receipts and reducing potential funding for both Good Causes and the wider Irish economy. Unlike the National Lottery, bookmaker-based lottery games do not contribute to Good Causes and operate without the same player protections or transparency.

In 2024 alone, it is estimated that approximately €289 million in potential National Lottery sales has been diverted, as a result of lottery betting, reducing potential funding for Good Causes by around €81 million and potential retail sales of National Lottery products by €238 million.

Further macro-economic analysis found that in 2024, the practice of lottery betting:

• Led to an estimated loss of 1,929 jobs across the retail sector and among Good Causes beneficiaries
• Reduced national economic output across Retail and Good Causes sector by €125.7 million
• Resulted in a direct loss of approximately €12.7 million in Exchequer revenues
• Is estimated to have reduced the value of the National Lottery licence to the State by between €118 million and €250million.

Positive Contribution of National Lottery

In 2024, the National Lottery supported €2.1 billion in economic output and 18,318 jobs, with total funding to Good Causes of €239.3 million, supporting local sports clubs, youth centres, arts initiatives, and health and social services.

The research shows that without National Lottery funding, 59% of Good Cause beneficiaries would be unable to provide their services or could only do so on a reduced basis.

In addition to Good Causes, National Lottery products that are sold through Ireland’s 5,166 retail, agents amounted to approximately €700 million in 2024, supporting an additional €390 million in wider retail sales.

Cian Murphy, CEO of the National Lottery said:

“This research demonstrates the unique role of the National Lottery, highlighting the positive impact both socially and economically of playing our games.

A significant number of people play for a chance to win a prize in a fun and regulated environment, while contributing to very worthy causes. The National Lottery plays a vital role in funding Good Causes, supporting thousands of jobs, and driving economic activity across communities nationwide. Lottery betting in bookmakers is a very real risk to this ecosystem, reducing the funds available for local sports clubs, youth centres, arts programmes, and community services.

As the holder of the operating license, we have a responsibility to protect the National Lottery’s long-term value. We take this responsibility seriously. Given the scale of these impacts, we have no option but to request relevant action by the Government on the issue in the interests of  preserving the current levels of funding for Good Causes, safeguarding players and ensuring that the National Lottery, as a State asset, will continue to be an attractive investment and provide real returns for the State when the licence is up for renewal in eight years' time.”

Meanwhile, representatives from the charity and retail sector are supporting the National Lottery in this call for action, given the negative impact lottery betting has on both sectors.

Tara Buckley, Director General of the Retail Grocery Dairy & Allied Trades Association (RGDATA) said:

“The National Lottery is hugely important to local retailers. Not only does it help to generate footfall into the shops, but it makes a major contribution in their local communities. Retailers can see the real difference that Good Causes funding makes to clubs and organisations, usually volunteer led, within their local areas. 

It is important that the Government acts now to protect Good Causes funding and to prevent the National Lottery being increasingly undermined by lottery betting. Ireland should stop being an outlier in Europe and move now to ban lottery betting.”

Aine Myler, CEO of Charities Institute Ireland (CII) said:

“On behalf of our members and the wider sector, we support the National Lottery’s call to prohibit lottery betting in Ireland, as it diverts funding away from the causes the National Lottery is intended to support.

The charity and voluntary sector depend heavily on reliable annual funding to sustain and develop its services. The National Lottery Good Causes Fund plays a vital role in supporting a wide range of organisations in the sports, arts, heritage, youth, community and health sectors.

CII has made numerous representations to Government for this change to be implemented and so we now urge the Minister again to address this issue. There is a clear public policy case for measures that protect National Lottery funding and the communities that rely on it.”

The full report is available to download at lottery.ie/about/indecon-report

Nearly 30 cent in every €1 spent on National Lottery games goes back to Good Causes in the areas of sport, youth, health, welfare, education, arts, heritage and the Irish Language. In total, more than €6.5 billion has been raised for Good Causes since the National Lottery was established 39 years ago. In 2024 alone, €239.3 million was raised for local Good Causes in communities across Ireland.      

Play National Lottery games responsibly, play for fun.