Ireland gambling statistics: participation, regulation, and industry data

Gambling market overview: Ireland

Ireland's gambling market generates an estimated €2 billion or more in annual revenue, with the online segment accounting for approximately €1.25 billion in 2024 (industry estimates). Traditional betting shops remain culturally significant, but the last five years have seen a clear shift towards online channels, with traditional turnover declining by approximately €0.2 billion while online turnover has grown by approximately €0.4 billion over the same period. The Irish government collects betting duty of 2% on turnover from licensed bookmakers. ESRI research estimates that total annual gambling spend — the gross amount wagered before winnings — is approximately €5.5 billion, with around 28% of that linked to problem gamblers (ESRI, 2023). For comparison, see our United Kingdom gambling statistics.

The shift to online gambling has been dramatic. In the Republic of Ireland, online gambling participation rose from an estimated 8–10% of adults in 2014–15 to approximately 13% in 2019–20 (HRB NDAS, 2024). Growing Up in Ireland longitudinal data shows that online gambling prevalence among young adults increased by more than 300% between age 17/18 and age 20 (ESRI, 2024). The online market is now estimated at €1.25 billion, with mobile devices the dominant access point.

How many people gamble in Ireland?

The most comprehensive data comes from the HRB's 2019–20 National Drug and Alcohol Survey (NDAS), published in 2024. It found that approximately 49% of adults had gambled in the previous twelve months, including lottery activities. When lottery-only gamblers are excluded, 20% of adults had participated in other forms of gambling (HRB NDAS, 2024). Men were significantly more likely to gamble than women when lottery is excluded (26% vs 15%), with the highest rates among men aged 35–49 (35%) and men aged 25–34 (27%).

Notably, Ireland has no legal land-based casinos. Gaming machines are loosely regulated, and the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 is expected to bring greater clarity to this segment. Betting shops remain a distinctive feature of Irish high streets, though the number has been declining.

Problem gambling in Ireland

The ESRI's 2023 study, using an anonymous online survey of 2,850 adults and the PGSI screening tool, estimated that approximately 1 in 30 Irish adults (3.3%, or roughly 130,000 people) meet the criteria for problem gambling (ESRI, 2023). This is ten times higher than the 0.3% rate found in the 2019–20 NDAS, which used face-to-face interviews. The ESRI noted that the previous methodology likely underestimated prevalence due to social desirability bias in in-person interviews, and that the new anonymous online figure closely matches the rate that respondents report seeing among their friends and family.

The ESRI also found that moderate-risk gamblers (over 7% of the population) were spending an average of €70 per week on gambling, or approximately €3,640 per year. Problem gamblers on average spent more than €1,000 per month. The highest rates of problem gambling were among those in their 30s.

Separate ESRI research commissioned by the GRAI found strong links between childhood gambling exposure, parental gambling habits, and higher risk of developing problem gambling in adulthood: 64% of Irish adults reported having gambled before turning 18, with slot machines (33%), scratch cards (31%), and horse/dog betting (27%) the most common childhood gambling activities (ESRI Working Paper 780, 2024).

Treatment and help-seeking

Ireland's treatment infrastructure for gambling disorder has historically been underdeveloped compared to the UK. The main support services are Problem Gambling Ireland (offering counselling and a helpline), Gamblers Anonymous, and the HSE's addiction services (which include gambling in their remit but have limited dedicated gambling resources). The HRB's National Drug Treatment Reporting System began tracking gambling treatment episodes in 2024, providing the first routine national data on treated gambling disorder (HRB, 2024).

The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 mandates the creation of a Social Impact Fund, funded by an annual levy on operators, to support gambling addiction treatment, public education, and research. This represents Ireland's first dedicated statutory funding mechanism for gambling harm reduction.

If you're concerned about your own gambling, you can take our PGSI self-assessment quiz — the same screening tool used in ESRI and HRB research.

Ireland gambling regulation

Ireland's gambling landscape has undergone a historic transformation. Until 2024, the sector was governed by the Betting Act 1931 and the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 — among the oldest gambling laws in Europe. The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 replaced these with a comprehensive modern framework.

The GRAI was established on a statutory basis on 4 March 2025 and began accepting licensing applications in February 2026. It regulates all forms of gambling except the National Lottery (which remains under its own regulator). Existing licences from the Revenue Commissioners are being transitioned to GRAI licences on a phased basis. The GRAI has the power to fine operators up to €20 million or 10% of turnover, whichever is greater.

Online gambling in Ireland

Online gambling is the fastest-growing segment of the Irish market, with estimated revenue of approximately €1.25 billion in 2024. The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 introduces, for the first time, dedicated remote gambling licences. Previously, online operators were licensed as "remote bookmakers" through the Revenue Commissioners, with limited regulatory oversight.

Under the new regime, the GRAI will issue remote betting licences, remote gaming licences, and remote betting intermediary licences. The Act also introduces a credit card ban for online gambling, restrictions on bonuses and inducements, and a ban on gambling advertising on TV and radio between 5:30am and 9pm.

The €3,000 maximum win per game has drawn particular criticism from the poker industry, as it effectively prevents larger tournament prize pools. Whether this limit will be adjusted remains to be seen as the GRAI develops its regulatory codes.

Young people and gambling

ESRI research has highlighted significant youth gambling exposure in Ireland. The Growing Up in Ireland longitudinal study found that online gambling prevalence among young adults increased by more than 300% between ages 17/18 and 20 (ESRI / GUI, 2024). Separately, 64% of Irish adults report having gambled before turning 18 — most commonly on slot machines (33%), scratch cards (31%), and horse/dog betting (27%) (ESRI Working Paper 780, 2024).

The ESPAD survey (2024), covering 1,880 Irish students born in 2008 (aged 15–16), collected data on gambling alongside alcohol, tobacco, and substance use, with results informing ongoing GRAI policy development (HRB Factsheet, 2025).

The legal gambling age in Ireland is 18 for all forms of gambling. The GRAI has been given a specific mandate to protect children from gambling harm, with the Act prohibiting gambling advertising content that would appeal to minors.

Gambling harm and support

The ESRI estimates that approximately 28% of total gambling spend in Ireland is attributable to problem gamblers — a disproportionate share that raises significant public health concerns. Financial harm is the most prevalent negative consequence, followed by relationship breakdown, psychological distress, social isolation, and shame (HRB Factsheet, 2025).

Key support services include Problem Gambling Ireland (problemgambling.ie), Gamblers Anonymous Ireland, the HSE's addiction services, and local community addiction teams. The GRAI's Social Impact Fund, once operational, will provide Ireland's first dedicated statutory funding for gambling harm reduction.

For further guidance on recognising and managing gambling-related harm, visit our responsible gambling hub.