GRAI launches national campaign to combat underage gambling risks

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has rolled out a nationwide public-awareness campaign aimed at helping parents and guardians identify signs of underage gambling and begin early conversations about risk. The initiative, developed in partnership with the Health Service Executive (HSE) Addiction Services, combines online guidance with multimedia messaging across video-on-demand platforms, radio, digital audio networks, and social media.

The campaign follows the introduction of new Irish online gambling licences earlier this month and is underpinned by research commissioned by the GRAI from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). That study found that children who gamble are twice as likely to develop gambling problems later in life, that 64% of surveyed adults had gambled before turning 18, and that individuals with a parent who gambled were 80% more likely to experience gambling-related harm themselves. Underage betting increased the likelihood of future harm by between 83% and 87%.

Key risk factors and warning signs

The regulator warns that gambling risks are not always obvious, especially online. In addition to traditional betting, the campaign highlights threats from ‘loot boxes’ and randomised reward systems in video games, which can normalise paying money for an uncertain outcome. Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO of the GRAI, stated: "Children and young people are among the most at-risk members of Irish society when it comes to gambling exposure and harm." She added that because online gambling is accessible around the clock, warning signs can easily remain hidden. The campaign advises parents to watch for behavioural changes such as mood swings, secrecy around money, requests for in-game purchases, prolonged gaming sessions, talk of “near-wins,” or playing 18+ games.

Regulatory context and future rollout

The GRAI’s enforcement powers were expanded under the Gambling Regulation Act enacted in 2024, which introduced penalties for allowing underage gambling. While the current campaign focuses on remote gambling licences, the authority plans to open applications for in-person betting licences later this year. B2B, lottery, and charitable gaming licence applications are scheduled to follow in 2027 and 2028.