Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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147. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will carry out a review of the impact of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 on the fundraising efforts of voluntary and not-for-profit organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12931/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 provided for the establishment of Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, for the purposes of licensing and regulating betting, gaming, certain lotteries, the sale or supply of products or services related to gambling and charitable/philanthropic gambling activities.Earlier this month, I signed the order to establish the GRAI on a statutory basis and the order to commence parts of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 to enable the authority to become operational. It is important to note that charities and other not for profit organisations that operate and promote lotteries and other gambling activities, as part of their fundraising model, are already subject to regulation via the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956. The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 continues to regulate such organisations, but does not equate these licensees with commercial gambling operators.

The Act provides for a bespoke licence for not-for profit organisations, such as charities and philanthropic organisations, known as a charitable and philanthropic licence. Section 113 and 119 of the Act are based on provisions in the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 and provide for this new type of licence, and to allow for once off lotteries (to be operated once every 12 months) for prizes of up to €360,000.

The Act also exempts charitable and philanthropic licensees from the advertisement requirements, so as not to unfairly impede their fundraising efforts.

Therefore, sporting and other not-for-profit organisations will continue to be allowed to advertise fundraising lotteries under the Act. The Act also exempts such organisations from paying an annual contribution to the Social Impact Fund.

Furthermore, Section 92 provides that certain lotteries held for a charitable or philanthropic purpose do not require a gambling licence where:

• The person holding the lottery derives no personal profit from the lottery;
• the total value of the winnings doesn’t exceed €2,000;
• the minimum payment for a lottery ticket does not exceed €5;
• the maximum number of tickets available for sale does not exceed 1,500; and
• the person holding the lottery has not provided a lottery, pursuant to this section, within the past three months.