The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), in partnership with funding body Pobal, has published a report outlining the findings of a national consultation on the upcoming Social Impact Fund.
Established under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, the fund will be financed through annual contributions from licensed operators and will support prevention, treatment, recovery, and research initiatives targeting gambling-related harm in Ireland.
The consultation engaged 162 survey respondents and 54 focus group participants, including individuals with personal experience of gambling harm, family members, treatment professionals, NGOs, and researchers.
Gambling addiction was described as a hidden yet widespread issue, made worse by constant advertising and the easy availability of online gambling. Participants highlighted the lack of a national framework or central referral system, which forces people to navigate inconsistent services. Stigma and poor awareness were seen as major barriers to early intervention. Families were said to bear significant emotional and financial burdens while having limited access to tailored support. Concerns were also raised about weak community-based aftercare and insufficient specialist training for professionals.
Stakeholders strongly supported awareness campaigns co-designed with people who have lived experience. They also referred to new research by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), which estimated that around 130,000 adults—1 in 30—are problem gamblers in Ireland, a figure ten times higher than previous estimates.
The report identified key priorities for the Social Impact Fund, including workforce development through specialist training, better integration of gambling harm into addiction services, national referral pathways, expanded aftercare, stronger family support, and greater investment in prevention, awareness, and research. Participants stressed that the fund should not only issue grants but also strategically build a unified system of care.
Principles such as transparency, inclusion of lived experience, collaboration across sectors, and long-term sustainability were emphasised. Multi-annual funding was recommended to stabilise services, reduce reliance on short-term projects, and ensure fair access across communities.
GRAI confirmed that a broader public consultation will follow once a draft funding strategy is prepared, although no timeline has been set. The insights from this process will inform draft regulations and funding structures ahead of the first operator contributions, expected in 2026.
