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Ireland’s charities and good causes losing out on as much as €43 million a year due to National Lottery’s license terms and operator’s commercial practices

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Ireland’s charities and good causes losing out on as much as €43 million a year due to National Lottery’s license terms and operator’s commercial practicesReading Time: 4 minutes

 

  • National Lottery operator to benefit from as much as €306 million in unclaimed prizes over the 20-year term licence;
  • Unclaimed prizes, limited online performance, and increasing prize ratios are all key contributory factors in reduced Good Causes Funding;
  • Long-term sustainability and growth of Good Causes Funding are negatively affected by the current commercial strategy of Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI);
  • Continuing lack of evidence that online lottery betting is significantly impacting the sales performance of the National Lottery and Good Causes Funding;
  • DCU economist Tony Foley: “Today’s research highlights that there are several key issues that present a risk to the long-term sustainability of this vital funding…”

A new research report by DCU economist Tony Foley on the sustainability of Good Causes Funding associated with the National Lottery, published earlier today Monday 11 November, has found that aspects of the current commercial strategy of the license holder are undermining the Fund’s long-term future and its contribution to voluntary and community organisations across Ireland.

The research, commissioned by the European Lotto Betting Association (eLBA), found that currently up to €43 million in Good Causes Funding is being lost every year because of the business approach being pursued by the licence holder, Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI), who paid €405 million when awarded the contract in 2014 to operate the National Lottery for a 20 year term until 2034.

The report, “An Analysis of Good Causes Funding Associated with the National Lottery and Factors Impacting its Long-Term Sustainability”, identified the key factors, that are impacting Good Causes Funding currently and into the future, as being;

  1. The unprecedented level of unclaimed prizes returned to the operator

In 2018 alone, the unclaimed prizes total returned to PLI was €19 million. Under the terms of the National Lottery in the UK, for example, that same amount would have been ringfenced for contribution to the Good Causes Fund.

The report highlights that a continuation of the current strategic approach of the National Lottery, in prioritising the performance of the retail channel over urgent investment and action to address the underperforming digital channel, could see up to €14.74 million per annum or a total of €305.8 million in unclaimed prizes returned to PLI by 2034;

  1. A fall in Good Causes Funding contribution relative to National Lottery sales 

In 2009, Good Causes Funding as a percentage of National Lottery sales stood at 32.3%. In 2013, prior to the awarding of the new National Lottery licence to PLI, it was 30%; while by the end of 2018, it had fallen to 28.4%. A restoration to even the 2013 share of 30% would result in an extra €12.9 million contribution per annum to Good Causes Funding;

 

  1. Increasing National Lottery prizes as a share of sales

PLI’s licence requires that prizes as a share of sales must be a minimum of 50%. However, in 2018, it stood at 56.3%. This strategy, led by the operator, means that total gross gaming revenue, a key determinant in Good Causes Funding, is being undermined. Even a modest 2% reduction in prizes as a share of sales, back to 54%, would yield up to an additional €13 million annually for Good Causes Funding;

  1. Ongoing underperformance of the National Lottery digitally

The digital share of total National Lottery sales remains low, materially risking the long-term sustainability of Good Causes Funding. In 2018, online sales were only 7.7% of total sales, compared to a previously stated target at the start of the license of 15%. This also significantly under indexes the National Lottery in the UK, where online sales now stand at 25%, and the Paddy Power business, where 50% of global revenues are generated by its digital channels.

With the ongoing shift in consumer purchasing to digital platforms, the relatively poor performance of the National Lottery in this space is a clear and significant concern for its future and, consequently, Good Causes Funding.

The report also found that there is no evidence that a ban on lottery-type betting, such as that offered by retail bookmakers or dedicated online lottery betting providers like Lottoland, would significantly “boost the performance of the Good Causes Funding” or would result in these consumers switching their spending to National Lottery products. In fact, the findings show that between 2014 and 2018, the period when Lottoland and other licensed online lottery betting operators entered the market, overall National Lottery sales increased by €117.3m or 17.1%, with Good Causes Funding increasing by €34m or 17.5%. Also, National Lottery sales as a % of overall bookmaker’s turnover in the Irish market increased from 24.2% in 2015 to 27.9% in 2018.

Comment by DCU economist Tony Foley:

Over the last thirty years, the National Lottery and its contribution to Good Causes Funding has been an important source of financial support to community and voluntary organisations in every parish, constituency and county in Ireland. Today’s research highlights that there are several key issues that present a risk to the long-term sustainability of this vital funding.

“The perceived threat of online lottery betting to Good Causes Funding is in fact minimal in today’s terms, as indicated by the market share held by the licensed operators like Lottoland, especially in light of the robust sales performance of the National Lottery.

“The reality is that issues such as the reduction in Good Causes Funding as a percentage of National Lottery sales in recent years, the ongoing limited digital performance of the National Lottery, reduced player participation and the extent of the unclaimed prizes expected to be returned to the operator over the 20 year license, are far more significant threats to the future of the Good Causes Funding.

“There is also inadequate transparency around aspects of the current financial performance and regulation of the National Lottery, which is making it difficult for policymakers to assess the extent of the problem and to take appropriate steps to address these issues. The National Lottery Regulator can support policymakers by ensuring that they have access to more detailed information than currently appears to be the case.  Better availability of information would contribute to ensuring that the right decisions are made to address the most significant risks to the long-term sustainability of Good Causes Funding”.


Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Ireland’s charities and good causes losing out on as much as €43 million a year due to National Lottery’s license terms and operator’s commercial practices

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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The updated design extends across the entire game world, bringing richer landscapes, detailed architecture, and enhanced character art that adds elegance and depth, drawing players further into play.

Along with the visual transformation, MyEmpire is expanding its portfolio with new games. Each title offers a unique experience while staying true to the empire’s spirit of strategy, adventure, and discovery. Together, they create a broader and more dynamic world for players to explore.

Beyond new games, MyEmpire is expanding with the launch of a dedicated shop — a new destination where players can purchase exclusive items or exchange their in-game bonuses for them. It’s a fresh way to turn progress into rewards and make every victory even more satisfying.

Soon, players will also enjoy new gamification features — SpinRally, Wheel of Fortune, and WonderPot. These additions will introduce even more thrills and rewards, giving players the chance to test their luck, win prizes, and uncover new surprises within the empire. Each feature is designed to enhance engagement and add a fresh layer of fun to the play.

MioMedia Affiliates continue to stand at the forefront of iGaming innovation, bringing together top-performing brands and world-class affiliate partnerships. As MyEmpire enters a new era with its refreshed look and features, MioMedia Affiliates celebrates the brand’s dedication to excellence, creativity, and pursuit of entertainment that both inspires and rewards.

For more information and guidance, contact the team: https://www.miomedia.com/contact-us

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Slotegrator, a leading iGaming software provider and content aggregator, has published a report forecasting the iGaming trends of 2026. Developed in collaboration with over 50 experts from international companies, the report highlights how technology, regulation, ESG and transparency, and evolving player expectations will reshape the iGaming landscape in the coming year.

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Readers will learn what to expect from:

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The report offers a comprehensive view of what’s next for iGaming — a must-read for anyone shaping the future of the industry. Be among the first to download The iGaming Trends of 2026 from Slotegrator by following this link.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Since 2012, Slotegrator has been one of the iGaming industry’s leading software and business solution providers for online casino and sportsbook operators.

The company’s main focus is software development and support for online casino platforms, as well as the integration of game content and payment systems.

The company works with licensed game developers and offers a vast portfolio of casino content: slots, live casino games, poker, virtual sports, table games, lotteries, casual games, and data feeds for betting.

Slotegrator also provides consulting services in gambling license acquisition and business incorporation.

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Boomerang Partners has announced a gift auction at their booth during the upcoming SiGMA Europe 2025 in Rome

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Boomerang Partners, an affiliate marketing agency and an Official Regional Partner of AC Milan, is preparing numerous activities for their booth 5046 G at the upcoming SiGMA Europe 2025 in Rome. The main highlight will be a gift auction featuring valuable prizes:

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To try their luck in the gift auction, SiGMA Rome participants must visit the Boomerang Partners booth on November 4th and 5th and perform various tasks. For completing them, they will receive special chips of different denominations. The more chips they have, the higher their chances of winning in the auction. Details can be obtained from the hostess at the booth.

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Come to the Boomerang Partners booth, complete simple tasks, get chips, and participate in the gift auction. Extra pleasant surprises are possible. Read the full terms and conditions on the Boomerang Partners website.

About Boomerang

Boomerang Partners is a rapidly growing global marketing agency offering a wide range of services. Boomerang Partners is the Official Regional Partner of AC Milan. In 2024, it launched the inaugural Golden Boomerang Awards — a global tournament for affiliate teams. More than 400 affiliate teams participated in the second season of the tournament in 2025. The agency launched six new products in 2024-2025, contributing to a nearly 1.5-fold increase in product users.

The agency’s client portfolio contains 13+ brands offering affiliate and entertainment services across 40+ markets in compliance with local regulations. These products provide personalized bonuses and 24/7 multilingual support.

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