1 in 10 Irish Gamblers Have Multiple Betting Accounts

Insights from Ireland’s Gambling Regulatory Authority

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland has conducted an in-depth review of the country’s betting and gambling industry, drawing on data from an upcoming report by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).

Emerging Gambling Trends Identified in Ireland

According to findings highlighted by Anne Marie Caulfield, the chief executive of the regulator, several key behaviors in Irish gamblers have come to light. Notably, 10% of sports bettors place wagers while at their workplace. Additionally, one in ten gamblers maintains four or more betting accounts, rotating between them to place bets.

Another significant pattern is that approximately 25% of registered gamblers receive daily notifications encouraging them to continue gambling. Caulfield anticipates that upcoming legislation will change this practice by allowing individuals the option to opt out of such notifications.

Speaking at the St John of God Research Foundation’s annual conference, Caulfield emphasized that future regulations will empower gamblers to control these alerts according to their preferences.

Addressing Gambling Risks and Protection Measures

These observations arrive amid concerns that the prevalence of problem gambling in Ireland may be significantly higher than currently reported, with some studies suggesting an underestimation by as much as tenfold. The new ESRI research aims to better understand how gamblers engage with the industry and to assess the need for enhanced safeguards against harmful gambling behaviors.

Marketing Practices and Self-Exclusion Initiatives

Caulfield also shed light on the marketing tactics employed by gambling platforms, where users registering for sports or horse racing betting are frequently offered free spins as incentives to explore casino games on the same platform—often without prior solicitation.

Furthermore, research showed that while most users found it straightforward to deposit money, some experienced greater difficulty withdrawing funds. Approximately 75% of gamblers had made at least one deposit in the previous year.

Meanwhile, the regulator is set to begin licensing major operators within the country, coupled with the introduction of stronger consumer protection measures. One such initiative includes the establishment of a national self-exclusion system aimed at protecting vulnerable individuals from the risks associated with problem gambling.