Charities are backing Senate bid to prohibit side betting on lotto numbers
BOOKIES would be banned from taking bets on the outcome of the National Lottery under a new Bill to be discussed in the Seanad today.
The Bill, if passed, would amend the National Lottery Act 2013 prohibiting lotto betting by anyone except the National Lottery.
It is sponsored by Fine Gael senators Barry Ward, Micheál Carrigy, and Emer Currie.
The bill is largely aimed at stopping online bookmakers from taking side bets on which numbers will be picked in lottery draws.
Bookmakers have no connection with the National Lottery and none of their profits go to the Lottery or the charities it supports.
Red C research for the National Lottery indicates that lottery betting could be generating as much as €570million a year, mainly for online bookmakers.
Most other EU countries have banned the practice of lottery betting.
According to Ned O’Hara, General Secretary of the Irish Postmasters Union,
‘The rationale for preventing harm is clear’
Ireland is lagging behind other EU countries in banning side betting by bookies.
The Bill is strongly backed by the Charities Institute of Ireland, a representative group for charities.
‘The Bill has been put forward by Senator Barry Ward and it has received widespread support,’ it said in a statement.
‘The National Lottery is asking you to talk to your local TD to express your support for the ending of this practice.
‘No other EU country allows this practice because it damages lotteries’ ability to support good causes,’ it said.
‘In addition to supporting good causes, the rationale for preventing player harm is clear. The National Lottery is heavily regulated by player protection measures,’ the Charities Institute added.
The Bill also has the strong support of grocery shop representative group RGData.
Last week, RGData wrote to Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath to seek Government support for the Bill.