The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), in partnership with Pobal, has launched a nationwide name for enter to information the event of Ireland’s new Social Impact Fund. The fund, created below the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, shall be financed by way of a levy imposed on licensed playing operators and is meant to help a variety 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 additionally created the GRAI to supervise Ireland’s playing business. The fund’s main purpose is to finance analysis, prevention programmes, and remedy companies for these impacted by downside playing. These efforts shall be supported by monetary contributions from licensed operators, decided as a proportion of every operator’s turnover. While GRAI manages the fund, the Department of Justice retains the authority to determine 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,” whereas remaining choices on levy percentages will relaxation with authorities ministers.
Certain entities, comparable to these holding charitable or philanthropic licences for lottery operations, are exempt from contributing to the fund. Additionally, any funds left in closed participant accounts that can’t be refunded may also be redirected to the Social Impact Fund.
Questionnaires Target Diverse Stakeholder Input
To lay the groundwork for this new initiative, 4 tailor-made questionnaires have been launched by GRAI and Pobal. These are designed to collect suggestions from:
- Individuals with direct expertise of playing habit
- Family members and mates affected by one other’s playing
- NGOs and charities supporting susceptible populations
- Addiction service suppliers treating gambling-related points
The responses will assist type an preliminary wants evaluation, which is able to later form the funding technique and aims for the Social Impact Fund. Participants may also decide to stay engaged for future consultations.
“The Call for Input aims to develop an initial assessment of need, and we will be consulting widely with stakeholders,” stated Caulfield. “It will inform our funding strategy and ensure that we allocate funding in the most useful and impactful way.”
Pobal, an organisation skilled in managing authorities 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 session interval started on April 14 and can run till 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, additionally praised the transfer, noting that “the legislation that underpins the GRAI is, first and foremost, a public health measure,” and emphasised the significance of evidence-based policymaking.
The preliminary enter will information the creation of a broader public session later within the 12 months, with the purpose of building clear priorities for the fund’s allocation. As Ireland strikes ahead with complete playing reform, the Social Impact Fund is poised to grow to be a central device in decreasing the long-term affect of playing harms throughout the nation.
Source:
Social Impact Fund Consultation Opened by GRAI, GRAI, April 14, 2025.
