716. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is considering raising the current prize winnings threshold from the current €365,000 under the current lotteries Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73953/26]

Jim O'Callaghan, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: Section 28 of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 as amended (the ‘1956 Act’) provides that a lottery licence may be granted by the District Court and may be subject to certain conditions. One of those conditions, included in subsection 28(10), is that the maximum total value of prizes for a once-off lottery in any year shall not exceed €360,000. Subsection 28(13) provides that I, as Minister, may vary the amounts specified in subsection 28(10). Currently, I am not considering raising the amount specified in subsection 28(10).

The regulation of the gambling sector, including certain lotteries, is being overhauled through the phased commencement of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 (the ‘2024 Act’). The Act establishes an independent agency to regulate the gambling sector, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), and ensures that the GRAI can respond appropriately to ongoing and future developments in the gambling sector.

The 2024 Act, once the relevant provisions are commenced, will repeal the 1956 Act. The 2024 Act provides for a similar type of licence to allow once-off lotteries (to be operated once every 12 months) with prizes of up to €360,000 for both commercial and charitable/philanthropic purposes. Schedule 3 to the 2024 Act provides for the maximum relevant payments and maximum winnings for certain gambling activities. These limits may be varied by the GRAI, with my consent as Minister, as provided for in section 83(2) of the Act.

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Dáil Éireann debate. Question 764, 765 – Gambling sector [74117/26, 74115/26]

764. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current status of the proposed National Gambling Exclusion Register; the expected timeline for its implementation; whether a person who self-excludes through the register will be excluded across all licensed gambling operators in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74117/26]

765. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to clarify the obligations on licensed bookmakers and gambling operators regarding self-exclusion facilities; whether all licensed operators are legally required to provide a self-exclusion facility to customers who request it; whether there is a statutory requirement for operators to offer a lifetime self-exclusion option; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74115/26]

Jim O'Callaghan, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: I propose to take Questions Nos. 764 and 765 together.

The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 (the ‘2024 Act’) establishes a comprehensive framework for the licensing and regulation of betting, gaming, and certain lotteries, including activities provided online to persons in the State. It also establishes a new, independent statutory body, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI). Last year, I signed orders to commence the first provisions of the 2024 Act and establish the GRAI from 5 March 2025.

The provisions of the 2024 Act and the powers of the GRAI are being rolled out on a phased basis, with the provisions regarding the licensing of betting operators commencing on 5 February 2026. Existing betting licensees will continue to operate under licenses issued by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners until their expiry dates, namely 30 June for remote (online) bookmakers and betting intermediaries, and 30 November for in-person bookmakers.

Once commenced, Chapter 3, Part 2 of the 2024 Act provides that the GRAI shall establish and maintain a National Gambling Exclusion Register. The Register, which represents an important public health protection measure, will allow individuals to request exclusion from remote gambling indefinitely and will prevent all Business to Consumer licensees from:

• providing gambling services to persons entered in the Register,

• accepting payments from them, and

• communicating with them in a manner that invites (or has the effect of inviting) them to participate in a relevant gambling activity.

A licensee who contravenes these measures is guilty of an offence and will be liable (a) on summary conviction, to a class A fine or to imprisonment for a period of 12 months, or both, or (b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a period of 5 years, or both.

The protections and safeguards provided for in the 2024 Act are contingent on operators being licensed and regulated by the GRAI. In collaboration with the GRAI, officials in my Department are continuing to work to progress commencement of the remaining provisions of the 2024 Act as quickly as possible.

There is no statutory obligation requiring all licensed operators to provide a self-exclusion facility.  However, section 48 of the 2024 Act makes it clear that the provisions of Chapter 3 of Part 2 of the Act do not preclude individual licensees and their customers from participating in any voluntary exclusion schemes.