The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has announced a national initiative to assist parents and guardians in recognizing and addressing underage gambling. The campaign, revealed on Monday, integrates new online guidance developed in collaboration with the Health Service Executive (HSE) Addiction Services alongside a multimedia public-awareness strategy.
This messaging will be spread through various channels, including video-on-demand services, radio, digital audio networks, and social media platforms.
The GRAI aims to empower families by providing tools and information necessary to spot early signs of gambling issues. The campaign also encourages parents to engage in candid discussions with their children about the risks associated with gambling and offers guidance on where to find support if needed.
Underlying this initiative is research commissioned by the GRAI from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). Findings indicate that children who gamble are at a significantly higher risk of developing gambling-related issues as adults, with 64% of surveyed adults admitting to gambling before turning 18. This behavior increases the chance of developing problematic gambling by 83% to 87%. Furthermore, individuals with gambling parents are 80% more likely to face gambling problems themselves, correlating with data from the Gambling Commission, which reported that nearly one in eleven adults in the UK experienced harm due to another's gambling as of 2024.
The ESRI's study notes that young individuals, whose brains are still developing, are particularly susceptible to the factors that make gambling attractive, especially with their immature impulse-control systems.
"Children and young people are among the most at-risk members of Irish society when it comes to gambling exposure and harm," emphasized Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO of the GRAI. "With online gambling accessible at any hour, it’s easy for warning signs to remain unnoticed."
The GRAI’s guidance highlights the necessity for age-appropriate discussions about gambling, also warning about less obvious gambling avenues such as loot boxes found in popular video games. Parents are encouraged to watch for behavioral changes, including mood swings and increased secrecy regarding money.
This campaign is part of a larger initiative to bolster protections for minors as specified in the 2024 Gambling Regulation Act. This pending legislation is set to impose strict penalties on underage gambling activities and enhances the GRAI's powers established last year to facilitate its enforcement.
The new regulations will hold the gambling industry accountable for effective age verification, advertising limitations, and product design to protect minors from excessive exposure.
Ireland isn’t alone in addressing the issue of underage gambling; earlier this year, Norway launched a four-year action plan geared towards combating this problem. The Nordic strategy includes outreach efforts in schools and clubs, alongside digital campaigns aimed at educating adults. It plans to distribute tools and training to various stakeholders, including parents, educators, and healthcare workers, to help pinpoint early warning signs of gambling harm.
The GRAI has advised parents and guardians to reach out to the HSE Addiction Services for additional support. The anticipated increase in awareness of gambling-related harms is expected to generate higher demand for consumer protection and treatment services.
Ireland's recent gambling regulations have introduced more stringent safeguarding protocols. With the enactment of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, the GRAI has received new regulatory powers, including the authority to license operators and enforce protective measures across the gaming sector.
When questioned in March about its licensing process, the GRAI indicated that it was proceeding with caution. "The GRAI is adopting a phased approach to the licensing of operators; applications opened on Monday, February 9, 2026, for betting licenses," they stated. "The application process is extensive, with numerous important requirements imposed on operators seeking approval."
