On April 30, 2026, Ireland entered a critical phase in its gambling market with two fronts converging on the same issue; who controls the sector’s money. The National Lottery, operated by Premier Lotteries Ireland, called on the government to ban betting on lottery outcomes, arguing that the practice diverted €289 million in sales in 2024 and reduced funds for good causes by €81 million. Its CEO, Cian Murphy, maintains that lottery betting undermines a system governed by the National Lottery Act 2013, supervised by the Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery, led by Carol Boate under the Department of Public Expenditure Infrastructure Public Service Reform and Digitalisation headed by Minister Jack Chambers.
The Irish Bookmakers Association, chaired by Sharon Byrne, opposes the ban, arguing that lottery betting is a legitimate product within the broader wagering ecosystem, as competition for consumer spending intensifies.
Cian Murphy
Besides, Ireland is advancing the implementation of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, which established the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, led by CEO Anne Marie Caulfield and chaired by Paul Quinn, under the Department of Justice Home Affairs and Migration headed by Minister Jim O Callaghan. Since February 5, 2026, the authority has begun issuing licenses to both land-based and remote operators.
Anne Marie Caulfield
On the same date, the GRAI signed a cooperation agreement with the Alderney Gambling Control Commission to enhance cross-border supervision and information sharing, strengthening oversight of online operators in an increasingly digital market.
Ireland’s gambling market is estimated at €2.5 billion annually, with the online segment accounting for around €1.24 billion, highlighting the scale of regulatory pressure. What comes next is a rebalancing of the system with potential legislative action on lottery betting, consolidation of GRAI’s licensing framework, and deeper international enforcement. Ireland is moving from a fragmented model to a centralized structure where regulation, competition and fiscal capture will define the future of gambling.
