The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), in partnership with Pobal, has launched a nationwide call for input to guide the development of Ireland’s new Social Impact Fund. The fund, created under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, will be financed through a levy imposed on licensed gambling operators and is intended to support a wide range of initiatives addressing gambling-related harms.
Understanding the Fund’s Purpose and Oversight
The Social Impact Fund was established following the passage of the Gambling Regulation Act in October 2024, which also created the GRAI to oversee Ireland’s gambling industry. The fund’s primary aim is to finance research, prevention programmes, and treatment services for those impacted by problem gambling. These efforts will be supported by financial contributions from licensed operators, determined as a percentage of each operator’s turnover. While GRAI manages the fund, the Department of Justice retains the authority to decide how the funds are distributed.
According to GRAI CEO Anne-Marie Caulfield, “the Social Impact Fund [will be supported by]
a levy on all of the licensed [gambling]
companies,” while final decisions on levy percentages will rest with government ministers.
Certain entities, such as those holding charitable or philanthropic licences for lottery operations, are exempt from contributing to the fund. Additionally, any funds left in closed player accounts that cannot be refunded will also be redirected to the Social Impact Fund.
Questionnaires Target Diverse Stakeholder Input
To lay the groundwork for this new initiative, four tailored questionnaires have been released by GRAI and Pobal. These are designed to gather feedback from:
Individuals with direct experience of gambling addiction
Family members and friends affected by another’s gambling
NGOs and charities supporting vulnerable populations
Addiction service providers treating gambling-related issues
The responses will help form an initial needs assessment, which will later shape the funding strategy and objectives for the Social Impact Fund. Participants can also opt to remain engaged for future consultations.
“The Call for Input aims to develop an initial assessment of need, and we will be consulting widely with stakeholders,” said Caulfield. “It will inform our funding strategy and ensure that we allocate funding in the most useful and impactful way.”
Pobal, an organisation experienced in managing government and EU social programmes, developed the questionnaires on behalf of GRAI. According to Pobal CEO Anna Shakespeare, “this open consultation process presents an excellent opportunity for those affected by gambling harm in Ireland… to help shape the new fund and the services it will support.”
Government and Regulatory Support for Public Participation
The consultation period began on April 14 and will run until May 15, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan welcomed the initiative, calling it “a key step towards developing proposals for the Social Impact Fund,” and urged widespread participation.
Paul Quinn, Chairperson of the GRAI, also praised the move, noting that “the legislation that underpins the GRAI is, first and foremost, a public health measure,” and emphasized the importance of evidence-based policymaking.
The initial input will guide the creation of a broader public consultation later in the year, with the goal of establishing clear priorities for the fund’s allocation. As Ireland moves forward with comprehensive gambling reform, the Social Impact Fund is poised to become a central tool in reducing the long-term impact of gambling harms across the country.
Source:
Social Impact Fund Consultation Opened by GRAI, GRAI, April 14, 2025.
