Irish researchers call for tobacco-style crackdown on scratchcards

The study argues that public health measures used for tobacco and alcohol could help reduce gambling-related harm.

Key takeaways

• Researchers from four Irish universities have called for tighter gambling controls, including restrictions on low-cost scratchcards.
• The study proposes minimum gambling spend thresholds of €5, €10 or €15 to reduce impulsive and underage gambling.
• Researchers argue that gambling policy should draw on successful tobacco and alcohol control measures.
• Additional recommendations include stricter advertising rules, health warnings on gambling products, plain-packaged scratchcards and higher gambling taxes.
• The study cites evidence suggesting that people who begin gambling before the legal age face a higher risk of gambling-related problems later in life.

Researchers from four Irish universities have urged policymakers to adopt stronger gambling regulations modelled on tobacco and alcohol control policies, arguing that such measures could help reduce gambling-related harm among both children and adults. The study recommends restrictions on low-cost scratchcards alongside a range of public health interventions designed to discourage impulsive gambling and strengthen consumer protection.

Ireland.- Researchers from four Irish universities have called for tighter restrictions on gambling products, including a ban on low-cost scratchcards and the introduction of minimum gambling spend requirements, arguing that such measures could help reduce gambling addiction among both children and adults.

The study, published in the Irish Journal of Medical Science, draws parallels between gambling regulation and public health measures used to curb tobacco and alcohol consumption. The authors contend that lessons from those sectors could be applied to gambling policy, particularly in efforts to prevent young people from developing harmful gambling habits.

Among the report’s key concerns is the widespread availability of low-cost scratchcards. The researchers noted that while Ireland has taken steps to limit access to cheap tobacco products, comparable restrictions have not been introduced for gambling products.

“We have progressively restricted the availability of inexpensive tobacco products by banning single cigarettes and requiring a minimum pack size of 20 cigarettes. However, €1 and €2 scratchcards remain widely available,” researchers note.

The study suggests that minimum spending thresholds could act as a deterrent to impulsive gambling and help reduce underage participation: “Introducing a minimum gambling spend of €5, €10 or €15 could reduce impulse participation and may be particularly effective in limiting underage gambling.”

Dr Frank Houghton, lead author of the study and principal investigator at the Tobacco, Alcohol and Gambling Research Group at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), said policymakers should draw on the experience of tobacco control initiatives.

“If we learn from the achievements of tobacco control, we can help protect both children and adults from becoming problem gamblers,” he said. “Cheap scratchcards are simply too easy for children to access. The gambling, tobacco and alcohol industries are all essentially addiction industries, and we should never forget that.”

The researchers proposed a range of additional measures, including stricter controls on gambling advertising and point-of-sale marketing, mandatory health warnings on scratchcards and betting slips, and plain packaging for National Lottery scratchcards. Further recommendations include stronger enforcement of gambling laws, raising the minimum gambling age to 21, increasing gambling taxes and introducing a retailer licence fee for National Lottery sales.

The report also highlighted concerns around underage access to lottery products. Researchers cited test-purchase exercises commissioned by the Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery in 2024, which found that almost 30 per cent of retailers were willing to sell lottery products to children.

According to the authors, international evidence indicates that people who begin gambling before reaching the legal age are significantly more likely to experience gambling-related problems later in life.

The study drew attention to figures from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), which estimated that Ireland has 130,000 problem gamblers, while a further 279,000 people display moderate indicators of problem gambling. The findings add to the growing debate around gambling regulation in Ireland, with researchers arguing that a public health approach modelled on tobacco and alcohol control could play a significant role in reducing gambling-related harm, particularly among younger people.

FAQs

What gambling restrictions are being proposed in the study?

The researchers recommend measures including restrictions on low-cost scratchcards, minimum gambling spend requirements, stricter advertising controls, health warnings and higher gambling taxes.

Why do the researchers compare gambling to tobacco and alcohol?

The study argues that public health policies used in tobacco and alcohol regulation have successfully reduced harmful behaviours and could provide useful lessons for gambling policy.

What minimum gambling spend levels are suggested?

The researchers propose minimum gambling spend thresholds of €5, €10 or €15, arguing that these could reduce impulsive participation and help limit underage gambling.

Why are scratchcards a focus of the recommendations?

The authors argue that low-cost scratchcards are easily accessible and may encourage gambling participation among younger people. They also cite evidence that some retailers have sold lottery products to underage customers.

How widespread is problem gambling in Ireland according to the study?

The research cites ESRI estimates suggesting there are around 130,000 problem gamblers in Ireland, while a further 279,000 people display moderate indicators of problem gambling.