SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Claims that lottery betting could be a detriment to the Irish national lottery have been dismissed by the Irish Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, who cited a lack of evidence.
Speaking in response to a Parliamentary question, Donohoe stated that he does not believe that there is “any evidence of a significant impact on the national lottery arising from online lottery betting at present.”
He pointed out that national lottery contributions to charitable causes had “not yet been materially affected by other developments” with regards to both online and electronic lotteries, adding that the tax contributed by the national lottery “attests to that.”
Chairperson of the European Lotto Betting Association (eLBA), Elisa Field, publicly welcomed the comments made by donohoe, and addressed that the view will be reflected during the upcoming report issued by the Irish Lottery Regulator on lottery betting.
Field commented: “As we have said for some time, the evidence clearly shows that lottery betting does not impact the national lottery; we are pleased the Minister has recognised this.”
The eLBA has pointed out that its members wish to work alongside regulators and government bodies to provide education surrounding this form of gaming, in addition to facilitating a proportionate regulatory environment.
