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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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Red Rake Gaming releases Super 60 Stars, the newest slot in its successful Super series

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Red Rake Gaming has released Super 60 Stars, the latest addition to its acclaimed Super series, now available to all partner operators.

This new release retains the fast-paced gameplay and wide variety of features that have made the series one of the most popular in the iGaming industry, while also introducing an exclusive new addition that adds even more excitement to the game.

The new feature in Super 60 Stars is the “Super 60 Stars” symbol, which can appear anywhere on the reels and trigger the brand-new “Super 60 Gold X” minigame. In this minigame, players can land the “Super X” symbol to multiply the value of the silver coins and accumulate big wins through the gold coins. On top of that, the “Super 60 Coins” system brings the familiar “Minor, Major and Grand” prizes, offering great win potential.

The game also includes some of the most successful features from previous titles in the series, such as “Sticky Wins” and progressive multipliers triggered by the “Super 25 Stars Wild” symbol, as well as the “Crystallize Symbols” and “Lucky Multipliers”, with multipliers of up to x50, and the «Star Fusion Minigame», which merges symbols for bigger rewards.

Other popular features also make a return, including the “Super 10 Stars Mini-Slot” and the “Frenzy Wheel Minigame”, with multipliers of up to x100, plus expanding Wilds with Respins, the “Wheel Bonus”, and “Free Spins”.

With its polished design, fast-paced gameplay and broad variety of features, Super 60 Stars strengthens the appeal of an already established series and stands out as a key release for operators looking to offer high-performing, differentiated content to their players.

Now available across all Red Rake Gaming partner casinos, as well as through its renowned tournament tool.

For additional information please contact: [email protected]

The post Red Rake Gaming releases Super 60 Stars, the newest slot in its successful Super series appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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GAMSTOP reports record registrations in 2025

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  • 44% increase in under 25s choosing to self-exclude from gambling
  • Younger consumers choosing six-month exclusion to manage their gambling
  • New chair Chris Pond to take up post in September

GAMSTOP, the national self-exclusion scheme for online gambling, has reported a 19% increase in registrations in 2025, with monthly registrations breaking all previous records twice in successive months.

The increase in registrations has been driven by younger consumers, aged 16-24, with self-exclusions increasing by 44% year-on-year in the first six months of the year. Four out of ten are choosing to exclude for the minimum six-month period, up from 36% in the previous year which could mean they are using GAMSTOP as a flexible, preventative tool to manage their gambling, though more research is needed to understand patterns of behaviour.

With self-exclusion at record levels, the Gamstop Group has announced its new chair will be Chris Pond, who replaces the outgoing Chair Jenny Watson CBE in September after her seven-year stint. Mr Pond is highly experienced in financial services and has worked across the public, private and non-profit sectors.

He is currently Chair of the Money and Mental Health Advisory Board and the Financial Services Consumer Panel at the Financial Conduct Authority. He has previously chaired the Financial Inclusion Commission, served as the CEO of two national charities and was a Work and Pensions Minister during his eight years as a Member of Parliament.

Since GAMSTOP’S inception in April 2018, nearly 600,000 vulnerable consumers have registered for the service and self-exclusion is continuing to increase at record rates. In April 2025, a record 10,281 consumers registered with GAMSTOP – the first time the monthly figure had ever topped 10,000 –and Monday April 7th, two days after the Grand National, was the busiest ever day with 437 registrations. However, the monthly record was eclipsed in May, with 10,344 new registrations.

The 2025 data reveals a growing preference for six-month exclusions across all age groups, a 29% year-on-year increase. However, the maximum five-year exclusion remains the most popular amongst all age groups, except under-25s and currently accounts for nearly one in two of all exclusions (47%). Since 2018, 53% of all registrations have been for the maximum five-year period.

GAMSTOP introduced a new ‘5 years with auto-renewal’ exclusion in December 2024 for vulnerable consumers looking to extend their exclusion from gambling websites and apps. The new 5 -year auto-renewal option was developed in direct response to feedback from users and the take-up has been high, with nearly half of those registering for a five-year exclusion choosing this option.

New registrations – H1 2025

16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+
6 months 39% 27% 23% 21% 22%
1 year 26% 26% 23% 22% 22%
5 years 35% 47% 54% 57% 56%

 

Registrations – all time

16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+
6 months 33% 23% 20% 20% 20%
1 year 26% 23% 22% 21% 22%
5 years 41% 54% 58% 59% 58%

 

Fiona Palmer, CEO of GAMSTOP, said:Our data shows a significant spike in the number of younger consumers who are GAMstopping to manage their gambling, and this has driven the record registrations in 2025. They are increasingly choosing six-month exclusions, which suggests that GAMSTOP is being used as a tool to allow them a break from gambling. We have worked very hard to increase awareness of GAMSTOP amongst younger consumers and to destigmatise the use of self-exclusion. We want them to realise that GAMSTOP can be used as a preventative tool alongside other solutions, giving them breathing space to take back control”.

 

The post GAMSTOP reports record registrations in 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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STAKE SIGN FOOTBALL LEGEND PATRICE EVRA AS GLOBAL AMBASSADOR

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Betting giants, Stake has today confirmed that former Manchester United and Juventus legend, Patrice Evra, has signed a deal to become a Global Ambassador for the brand.

Evra is the latest football legend to partner with Stake, joining fellow Premier League icon, Sergio Aguero as part of the Stake family. The former left-back enjoyed a trophy laden career, winning 17 major titles, including the UEFA Champions League, and five Premier League titles as part of an iconic Manchester United squad.

Evra’s larger than life personality has seen him remain a source of great entertainment since his retirement. Now considered a respected pundit, Evra has become known for his strong opinions and sharp wit.

Patrice Evra commented:“I am so excited to be working with Stake, and joining the family. They are such a fun and exciting brand who are at the top of their game, and to be joining their team of iconic Ambassadors is a privilege.

“I am a massive MMA fan, and Stake is a brand that everyone thinks of when it comes to the sport. To be on the same team as MMA Champions is great, and also to have a former rival from Manchester City, Sergio Aguero, now on my team, is fantastic.”

Akhil Sarin, Chief Marketing Officer at Stake, said: “Patrice is a footballing icon and one of the best players to ever play in his position. As much as his incredible credentials, we love his eccentric, larger than life personality and his strong opinions on the beautiful game. We see great synergy between Patrice and the Stake brand, and are really looking forward to what will be a great partnership.”

 

The post STAKE SIGN FOOTBALL LEGEND PATRICE EVRA AS GLOBAL AMBASSADOR appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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