The Irish News reports that the Dundalk-based online betting company, has rewarded gamblers deep in the red with tickets to the sporting spectacle, despite the GAA’s strong anti-gambling stance. 

The GAA has implemented a ban on betting advertisements, yet BoyleSports still holds a corporate box at Croke Park. The Irish News said it reviewed documents that showed many of the tickets it had issued went to bettors who had lost hundreds of thousands of euros with the bookmaker.

BoyleSports and Advertising With the GAA

This is not the first time that BoyleSports’ promotional practices have drawn controversy. Last year, the Irish News reported that BoyleSports retained an advertising hoarding on the Hogan Stand of GAA headquarters, and that it was visible during the All-Ireland Finals and other significant events, including concerts.

At the time, a spokesperson for GAA told the Irish News that box holders at Croke Park were free to use the front of their boxes for promotional activity within ASA guidelines.

A spokesperson for BoyleSports commented: “As a suite holder at Croke Park, along with every other suite holder, BoyleSports is permitted to use the front fascia of its suite for branding purposes.”

The Irish News cited a source who said that BoyleSports’ box, for which prices start at €50,000 per year, is used as “an incentive for people to gamble more.”

Gambling Issues in GAA Well-Documented  

The GAA has made concerted efforts to address gambling problems amongst its players. This includes awareness campaigns where players, supporters, and their families can learn about the effects of gambling issues.

Tyrone star Conn Kilpatrick has been open about his struggles. The All-Ireland winner said his gambling addiction started when he was 15 or 16, and by 2018, at the age of 21, he had racked up £15,000-£20,000 of debt.

“I was just thinking everyone is going to see my mum and dad and think, ‘Their son is the gambling addict,’ which hurt as it was nothing to do with them, they didn’t lead me down that path,” Kilpatrick said on the GAA Social podcast: “I brought shame onto the family and that was the thing that I was most wary of.”

It wasn’t until Armagh legend Oisin McConville, who had overcome gambling issues of his own, convinced him to attend Gamblers Anonymous (GA) meetings that Kilpatrick got the help he needed.

A 2023 University of Limerick study found that gambling was “pervasive” among elite intercounty GAA players. Of the 608 players who responded to an anonymous survey, 79% admitted to being current gamblers. One contributor called gambling the “biggest problem in the GAA.”

Bank of Ireland Takes Stand Against Illegal Gambling 

Concerns about problem gambling are severe enough that the Bank of Ireland recently introduced voluntary card-blocking tools restricting access to online casinos, slot machines, and lottery websites. It also prohibits payments to gambling operators.

This comes as data provided by the Bank of Ireland shows a significant rise in local gambling expenditures, especially among young males. For customers between the ages of 18 and 25, spending rose 19% between January and March despite a 2% drop in total card spending. Males accounted for 71% of the wagers.

As the industry continues to evolve, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), a new entity responsible for licensing and regulating gambling services, said it expects other banks to introduce similar card-blocking features soon.  

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The new feature, shared by Allied Irish Banks, EBS, and Revolut, can be initiated by the customer and prohibits access to online casinos, slot machines, and lottery websites. It also blocks any payments made to gambling operators. The block can be requested for personal and business debit cards, with credit cards set to be included in the coming months.

Bank of Ireland Chief Customer Officer Aine McCleary said the product is designed to help customers “take positive steps to improve control over their finances.”

“Problem gambling can have a devastating effect not just on the person involved, but also on families, friends, and loved ones,” McCleary said. “For those with a gambling addiction, it can often seem like help is out of reach.”

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), a new entity responsible for licensing and regulating gambling services in Ireland, expects other main banks to offer a similar feature in the future.

Bank of Ireland Data Shows Significant Rise in Gambling Expenditures

According to newly released figures by the Bank of Ireland, gambling expenditures among customers between the ages of 18 and 25 rose 19% between January and March despite a 2% drop in total card spending during the same period. Furthermore, 90% of gambling transactions from the first quarter of this year were placed online, with 99% funded by debit cards.

Male bettors accounted for 71% of those wagers, with betting activity rising the most in the following counties: Wicklow (37%), Kilkenny (24%), and Limerick (20%). In contrast, betting amongst those 65 and older fell 8%.

Popular sporting events such as the Cheltenham Festival and the Six Nations are key drivers of this increase. 

The new initiative has drawn support from gambling support organizations such as GamblingCare.ie.

“We can see the latest gambling spend insights that betting amongst younger people is on the rise,” spokesperson Oisin McConville noted. “To combat the scourge of problem gambling, a wide range of supports is essential to prevent the issue from becoming overwhelming for those impacted.”

‘New Era’ for Irish Gambling Regulation

Established in March, the GRAI was lauded by Minister Jim O’Callaghan as a “new era for the regulation of gambling” in Ireland.

“The establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland is a further step towards replacing Ireland’s outdated gambling laws with a streamlined and simplified licensing framework,” O’Callaghan said, “which will reflect the nature of modern gambling and take into account the harms associated with problem gambling, providing safeguards to protect people from those harms, especially children.” 

One of the GRAI’s priorities was establishing a National Gambling Exclusion Register. The oversight group believes the register will be an “important step” in helping those struggling with gambling addictions. 

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The GRAI will officially begin overseeing Ireland’s betting industry by mid-2025, following the approval of the Gambling Regulation Bill (GRB) in October.

This legislation establishes the GRAI as the regulatory authority of Irish gambling, with a mandate to oversee gambling advertising, messaging, and engagement with the general public.

In cooperation with ASA Ireland, the GRAI aims to protect the public by ensuring advertising in the gambling sector adheres to strict standards. The partnership will simplify the complaint process, with both organisations working together to evaluate and address issues.

The GRAI will handle complaints related to licensed operators, while the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland will manage other cases. Consumers will be directed to the appropriate organisation for their concerns.

Orla Twomey, Chief Executive of the ASA Ireland, said: “We are pleased to work with the GRAI, a new body focused on protecting the public from problem gambling. Our role is to ensure advertising is legal, decent, honest, and truthful.

This partnership reinforces our shared commitment to consumer protection. By combining efforts, we aim to provide clear guidance on responsible gambling advertising.”

GRB laws will enforce strict rules on gambling advertisements, including a 9pm watershed to minimise public exposure to gambling content, while also requiring online operators. In addition to their existing proof-of-age controls, to implement tools such as self-exclusion mechanisms, spending limits, and regular player monitoring to detect and address problematic behaviour.

Ireland’s new regulatory regime will rank among the most stringent in Europe, enabling the GRAI to impose fines of up to €20 million or 10% of an operator’s annual turnover for breaches of GRB laws.

Anne-Marie Caulfield, CEO Designate of the GRAI, added: “Once operational, the GRAI will promote transparency and compliance within the gambling industry under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. This legislation enforces strict advertising rules and raises awareness of problem gambling, introducing measures to address it.

“By collaborating with the Advertising Standards Authority, we will effectively manage public concerns about gambling advertising, ensuring compliance with their code. This partnership demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding the public and upholding the highest standards in marketing communications.”

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Earlier in October, legislation which provided the framework and legislative basis for GRAI’s establishment was passed in both Houses of the Oireachtas. 

President Michael Higgins also recently signed the Gambling Regulation Act into law, allowing for Ireland’s gambling regulator to be established.

GRAI will be responsible for the licensing and regulation of online and in-person gambling in Ireland, focusing on public safety and wellbeing, in addition to having the power to regulate advertising, gambling websites and apps.

James Browne TD, Ireland’s Minister of State at the Department of Justice with responsibility for Law Reform, has stated that the GRAI has seven roles available – Chair and six ordinary member positions.

Browne said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to lead Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann’s strategic direction and setting a robust regulatory and licensing regime for the gambling sector.

“The establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland is an important development in ensuring a well-regulated gambling sector while protecting the public from gambling harms.

“Once established, it will have significant enforcement powers to enable it to take appropriate and focused action where providers are failing to comply with the provisions of the Authority’s licensing terms, conditions and regulations.”

The closing date for the GRAI positions is 15 November.

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The legislation lays out the framework and legislative basis for a new, independent statutory body, Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI).

It also looks to implement a ‘modern and robust’ licensing and regulatory framework for the online and digital sector. 

It’s a bill that also aims to tackle the black market, with a myriad of measures to address illegal or criminal gambling activity and includes explicit prohibitions on illegal activity or practices, with many even leading to significant custodial sentences.

Commenting on this major milestone, Minister of State, James Browne, said: “I am truly delighted to welcome the passage of this long-awaited legislation, which is the result of many years of hard work by myself and a team of dedicated Departmental officials.

“It provides for a new streamlined, simplified and coherent licensing framework – one that reflects the nature of gambling in modern society and addresses the proliferation of digital gambling activities and advertising in recent years.

“At its core, this legislation is a public health measure aimed at protecting our citizens from gambling harm, including younger people and those more vulnerable in our communities.

“When established, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland will have the necessary enforcement powers to enable it to take appropriate and focused action where providers are failing to comply with the provisions of the Authority’s licensing terms, conditions and regulations.”

Browne continued: “My officials and I have engaged in extensive consultation with representatives from the industry, the charity sector, related sectors as well as with professionals working in the area of problem gambling, persons adversely affected by the consequences of gambling and those with lived experience of problem gambling.

“We have worked hard to get this right and the position taken in the proposed legislation has been robustly reinforced by the findings of a comprehensive ESRI study on problem gambling, gambling behaviours and the perception of gambling in Ireland.”

A Social Impact Fund in the country will also be formed as a result of the bill, to support awareness–raising and educational measures and to enhance problem gambling treatment activities.

Off the back of the enacting of the bill, the GRAI will be formed with a seven-person authority. A Programme Board has been established in the Department of Justice to ensure that the legislation and the operational preparations are progressed in parallel, allowing the authority to commence operations, on a phased basis, as soon as possible after enactment and appointment of the authority members.

Anne Marie Caulfield has been appointed to the role of CEO Designate of the GRAI and has been progressing with important preparatory work.

Caulfield added: “The passage of the Gambling Regulation Bill is an important milestone towards the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland which will ensure a well-regulated gambling sector while protecting the public from gambling harms. 

“While we have a lot of preparatory work done, we will have a phased introduction of our functions, with a focus on licensing initially. As CEO designate of the new authority, I am determined to ensure that licensees operate in accordance with the legislation while also fulfilling our mandate to establish safeguards to address problem gambling. We are also committed to engaging with stakeholders as we establish this new regulatory regime for Ireland’s gambling and gaming sector. 

“The bill introduces a number of additional measures to protect people who participate in gambling and provides for the creation of a Social Impact Fund, which will be used to finance research and related initiatives to address problem gambling behaviours, to support awareness–raising and educational measures and to support problem gambling treatment activities.”

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The Euronext Dublin ordinary shares ceased trading on January 23 and they are expected to be delisted from 8am GMT on January 29, the same day in which the company is planned to list on the NYSE.

Flutter noted that its ordinary shares “remain eligible for and continue to trade on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange”, as well as the NYSE in US dollar denomination, subject to its Form 20-F registration statement effectiveness with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

The company added that the only remaining step required to effect the additional listing and trading of the company’s ordinary shares on NYSE is the migration of the settlement system of its ordinary shares from Euroclear Bank to the Depository Trust Company.

Flutter’s shareholders have already approved this migration at its 2023 annual general meeting. It is expected to be completed on January 29 at 6am.

To assist with the process, the US Listing Record Date for Article 141 of Flutter’s articles of association will occur on January 26 at 7pm on the same date.

Earlier this month, Flutter published a trading update on its fourth quarter results, stating that US casino operations are going from “strength to strength” ahead of the group’s NYSE listing.

The company declared a total revenue for Q4 of £2.7bn, up 11 per cent year-over-year and 15 per cent YoY constant currency (Q4 2022: £2.4bn) with average monthly players rising by 12 per cent YoY as well to 13.6 million (Q4 2022: 12.1 million).

Commenting in the trading update on the NYSE listing, Flutter Chief Executive Peter Jackson said: “Subject to the effectiveness of our Form 20-F registration statement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, we are very excited that the addition of a US Flutter listing is now just days away.

“This is a pivotal moment for the Group as we make Flutter more accessible to US-based investors and gain access to deeper capital markets.

“I am looking forward to 2024 and further building on the momentum within the group to continue delivering growth.”

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Commissioned through the Department of Justice and the Implementation Team supporting the establishment of the new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, the ESRI review examined international and Irish evidence available on gambling harm.

The study found that approximately 12,000 adults in Ireland suffer from gambling harm, with 35,000 at moderate risk of gambling harm and 90,000 at low risk.

However, researchers noted that the methods used to measure gambling harm are likely to underestimate it due to “survey design and response biases”.

Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO Designate of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, stated that the regulator’s key goal will be to create more awareness of gambling harm and the support systems that are in place to help those that need it most.

“If we are to successfully tackle problem gambling we need to know the extent of the issue and how it is impacting on people’s lives,” Caulfield said.

“We have commissioned the ESRI to conduct a second study focused on measuring the extent of problem gambling and we anticipate results later this year. This new research study will ensure that our policy decisions and measures are evidence-based and informed by research.”

ESRI’s review stated that gambling harm is more common among men, younger people, disadvantaged groups and those with addiction and mental health issues. 

Those suffering from gambling harm also tend to play “forms of gambling with a high frequency of rounds and short time intervals between wagers and potential payouts”, such as online casino.

The research noted that those that suffer from gambling harm can have “difficulty perceiving their own gambling problems and recalling their own gambling expenditures”, adding that gambling harm extends beyond the individual to families and communities.

The study also stated that gambling is “negatively perceived by the public and problem gambling tends to be highly stigmatised”. 

Gambling advertising was also criticised, while ‘responsible gambling’ messages were said to lack effectiveness, and complex bets can convince players to wager more.

The ESRI review did claim that operator interventions such as limit-setting tools have been effective in preventing and reducing gambling harm, as well as therapeutic interventions for treating gambling harm.

Yet, the study also claimed that the evidence in favour of educational interventions for combating gambling harm is “mixed”, while there is “insufficient evidence” that pharmacological interventions are an effective treatment.

On youth protection, the research stated certain online activities popular among young people and minors may act as a gateway to real gambling, such as social casino games and ‘loot box’ purchasing in video games, which mimic gambling but remain largely unregulated. 

Research gaps that need to be addressed to inform policy in Ireland were also highlighted, including the underestimation of gambling harm prevalence, limited survey evidence on public attitudes towards gambling, and lack of understanding of the effects of different marketing techniques.

The ESRI also called for more Irish context research on social casino games, loot boxes and several other issues relevant in particular for young people, as well as Irish context research into specific intervention effectiveness.

“There is an urgent need for better research to more accurately measure the number of problem gamblers and what can be done to reduce it,” added Professor Pete Lunn, Head of the ESRI’s Behavioural Research Unit.

“Based on current evidence, we are pretty sure that the true extent of the problem is hidden from public view, along with some of the forces behind it. We are currently planning research designed to change that.”

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Through the deal, BoyleSports customers in the UK and the Republic of Ireland will now be able to play igaming titles from the Finnish software development company.

“Air Dice has proven themselves to be a business that consistently puts player-centric user game experience at the heart of all the player touch points within the gaming ecosystem,” commented Steve Payne, Gaming Director of BoyleSports.

“In today’s marketplace, players always look for engaging and different experiences, and we anticipate positive feedback from our players who will exclusively get to experience Air Dice content during the launch period in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.”

Air Dice was founded in 2002 and specialises in slots and strategy-influenced money games. The company’s customer list includes Ladbrokes, Unibet and Napoleon Games.

Meanwhile, BoyleSports has over 375 locations across the UK and Ireland alongside its online operations on BoyleSports.com.

Victor Borg Barthet, CEO of Air Dice MT, added: “We are delighted to provide and work with one of Ireland’s and the United Kingdom’s leading gaming brands in BoyleSports. We have long admired their brand values and focus on player-centricity to deliver the best experience possible.

“Our games portfolio includes games with exciting new mechanics including Neon Shifter, Fruit Shifter and Chest Hunter, and many more shall be available to BoyleSports players. We are sure they will discover and enjoy our game suite.”

Earlier this month, Air Dice was granted a B2B licence by Spelinspektionen to supply gaming content to operators in Sweden.

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Under the terms of the agreement, Playtech will remain the exclusive provider of SSBTs for Paddy Power in its land-based venues around the UK and Ireland, with the alliance suggested to ‘fulfil the increasing demand for a digital experience’ in retail betting shops. 

“Paddy Power has grown into a leading force since its inception over 30 years ago, and we look forward to building on our successful partnership with them,” explained Shimon Akad, COO at Playtech. 

“Our software performance has made this ongoing collaboration possible, and we are set on progressing plans to provide a customer-centric roadmap for the years ahead as we continue to develop new technologies aimed at digitising the retail space.”

As the World Cup provided evidence for a growth in betting terminal popularity, Playtech’s SSBTs are said to have been bolstered by a range of new features and betting markets, including Player Pros and a revamped Betbuilder function. 

David Newton, COO at Paddy Power, added: “We are pleased to continue our strategically important relationship with industry leader Playtech. Playtech terminals are integral to our retail offer and a crucial part of the future strategy of our shops. We look forward to expanding this even further in the coming years”.

Continuing this alliance has added to a busy winter period for the provider, following a recent announcement that it had hired an Independent Non-Executive Director in Samy Reeb, detailed in CasinoBeats’ recent round up of industry comings and goings. 

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Following the approval by the Irish government last month, the new bill will establish a new regulatory body and is set to introduce a regulatory and licensing regime for the sector, with hopes of modernising the country’s gambling regulations. 

The EGBA also added that it hopes the new regulatory framework, which is said to bring it into line with EU member states, and the proposal to establish a gambling authority, will be “well-resourced”, has the necessary powers to tackle unlicensed gambling offers and maintain an open dialogue with the country’s licensed gambling operators, other gambling regulators and stakeholders to identify best practices.

Maarten Haijer, Secretary General, EGBA, commented: “Today is a significant milestone, and we congratulate Minister Browne and his team for bringing forward the Bill. EGBA fully supports the Irish government’s ongoing efforts to establish modern regulations that fit the digital age and bring the country’s regulatory framework into line with EU member states. 

“We look forward to the finalisation of the Bill and engaging constructively with Irish policymakers to ensure the outcome is a well-functioning system of regulation that protects the interests of the many Irish citizens who gamble safely and recreationally, sets a high level of protection for consumers and those experiencing gambling-related harm, and provides clarity and long-term predictability for the gambling sector.”

Proposed inclusions in the Gambling Regulation Bill will see new regulations for land-based and online gambling within Ireland, such as the creation of a new authority to regulate gambling and a social fund to support education and problem gambling treatment.

In addition, the Bill proposes a national self-exclusion register for online gambling, new rules for advertisements and a ban on the use of credit cards for payments relating to gambling.  

On the latter section, the EGBA stated it “fully supports” the creation of a self-exclusion register in Ireland and noted it had advocated for this previously as an “essential safety net” against gambling harm.

The Bill will now follow the Parliamentary process, with the first reading expected in the Parliament in early 2023. Subject to Parliamentary approval, the Bill is expected to become law in late 2023.

Commenting when the Irish government originally approved the publication last month, James Browne, Minister of State for Law Reform, explained: “Reforming gambling legislation and regulation in Ireland is a key commitment in our Programme for Government and Justice Plan, and has been one of my key priorities as Minister. I am pleased to have gotten the draft legislation to this point, and look forward now to it being published and brought through the Houses to enactment.

“This legislation will establish a gambling regulator which will be robust with a focus on prevention of harm to people vulnerable to problem gambling and particularly protecting children, and also a focus on enforcement of a strong, modern regulatory framework for the gambling industry.”

Adding as a warning to prospective licensees, it was added: “Operators who provide gambling activities without a gambling licence issued by the Authority, or who do not operate in accordance with the provisions of their licence could, if convicted, face up to eight years imprisonment and/or a fine at the discretion of the courts.

“Strict regulation of gambling advertising will be a priority area for the Authority. Under the legislation, advertising intended to appeal to children will be prohibited, as will advertising that promotes excessive or compulsive gambling.”

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