The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has launched a national initiative aimed at assisting parents and guardians in identifying and addressing underage gambling. Announced on a recent Monday, the campaign integrates newly developed online guidance in collaboration with the Health Service Executive (HSE) Addiction Services and incorporates a multimedia public-awareness effort.
The campaign's messaging will reach audiences through video-on-demand services, radio, digital audio networks, and social media platforms.
According to the GRAI, the campaign materials are intended to empower families with crucial information for recognizing early signs of gambling. The aim is to facilitate open discussions about gambling risks with children and guide parents toward available support resources whenever intervention is needed.
The campaign was informed by research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), which the GRAI commissioned. The findings revealed alarming statistics: children who engage in gambling are twice as likely to face gambling-related issues in adulthood. Notably, 64% of surveyed adults admitted to gambling before reaching 18. Those who engaged in betting as minors had an 83%-87% increased risk of developing gambling problems later in life. Additionally, individuals whose parents gambled were 80% more likely to face similar issues. This latter point resonates with findings from the Gambling Commission, which reported that nearly one in eleven adults in the UK suffered harm due to another person’s gambling in 2024.
The ESRI study underscored that young people's developing brains and immature impulse-control systems make them particularly susceptible to factors that heighten gambling's allure. Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO of GRAI, highlighted the significance of parental engagement, stating, "Children and young people are among the most at-risk members of Irish society when it comes to gambling exposure and harm. With online gambling available at any time of day, it is easy for the warning signs to be hidden."
In terms of practical advice, the GRAI emphasized the necessity of having early and age-appropriate conversations about gambling with children. The guidance pointed out often-overlooked gambling avenues like loot boxes and randomized reward mechanisms embedded in popular video games.
Parents are encouraged to keep an eye out for behavioral changes, such as mood swings or increased secrecy surrounding money matters.
This campaign is part of a broader strategy to enhance protections for minors under the forthcoming 2024 Gambling Regulation Act, which introduces some of the strictest penalties in the European Union for engaging minors in gambling activities. Established last year, the GRAI is spearheading the implementation of this legislation, which enhances regulatory powers, including age verification and advertising restrictions, placing significant responsibilities on the gambling sector to shield children from undue exposure.
Ireland is not alone in its efforts against underage gambling; Norway unveiled a four-year action plan in March to tackle this issue. The Nordic initiative concentrates on outreach in schools and community clubs for young people, along with digital campaigns directed at adults. Resources and training will be provided to a wide range of stakeholders including parents, educators, coaches, healthcare professionals, and even bank employees to help them recognize early signs of gambling-related harm.
For further assistance, the GRAI has directed parents and guardians to HSE Addiction Services. As awareness of gambling harms grows, it is expected that consumer protection and treatment providers will experience an increase in referrals.
This year, Ireland has also overhauled its online gambling regulations through the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, which empowers the GRAI with regulatory authority, including licensing operators and suppliers, and enforcing safeguarding measures across the gaming sector. When addressing the licensing process in March, the GRAI noted that the implementation of the legislation would be meticulous and gradual, confirming that applications for betting licenses opened on February 9, 2026. They emphasized a comprehensive application process, with numerous critical requirements for operators prior to approval.
