Irish gambling regulator launches campaign against underage play
The campaign combines new online guidance with a multimedia awareness drive after new Irish gaming licences came into effect this month.
Ireland.- Two weeks after the launch of new Irish online gambling licences, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has rolled out a nationwide initiative to help parents and guardians spot and address signs of underage gambling. The campaign combines new online guidance developed with the Health Service Executive (HSE) Addiction Services with a multimedia awareness drive.
According to the GRAI, messaging will be distributed across video-on-demand platforms, radio, digital audio networks, and social media channels. The materials have been designed to give families practical tools to recognise early indicators of gambling behaviour, encourage open conversations with children, and direct parents to support services if intervention is needed.
The campaign follows research commissioned by the GRAI from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), which found that children who gamble are twice as likely to develop gambling problems later in life. The study revealed that 64 per cent of surveyed adults had gambled before turning 18, with underage betting increasing the likelihood of future gambling harm by 83–87 per cent. It also showed that individuals with a parent who gambled were 80 per cent more likely to struggle with gambling themselves.
The regulator’s advice highlights the importance of early, age-appropriate conversations about gambling. It also warns parents about overlooked risks such as loot boxes and randomised reward systems in video games. Families are encouraged to watch for behavioural changes, including mood swings and secrecy around money.
Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO of the GRAI, stressed the risks posed to young people. “Children and young people are among the most at-risk members of Irish society when it comes to gambling exposure and harm,” she said. “With online gambling available at any time of the day, it is easy for the warning signs to be hidden.”
The Irish Gambling Regulation Act enacted in 2024 introduced penalties for allowing underage gambling and expanded enforcement powers for the new regulator. After starting with remote licences, the GRAI says the process for new in-person betting licences will run later this year, while applications for lottery, B2B and charitable gaming licences will follow in 2027 and 2028.
