Ireland launches parental campaign to tackle underage gambling

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has launched a nationwide campaign encouraging parents and guardians to recognise the early warning signs of underage gambling. This is happening as the country continues rolling out its landmark gambling reforms.

The initiative was developed in partnership with the Health Service Executive (HSE) Addiction Service. It includes online guidance and a multimedia awareness campaign that spans video-on-demand services, radio, digital audio platforms and social media.

The campaign aims to help families identify gambling-related behaviours in young people. It also aims to encourage early conversations about gambling risks. Parents are directed towards support services where intervention may be needed.

Research highlights long-term risks

The initiative comes off the pack of research commissioned by the GRAI. This is from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). The institute found that gambling before the age of 18 substantially increases the likelihood of developing gambling-related harm later in life.

The research found that 64% of adults surveyed reported gambling while underage. Those who gambled before turning 18 were found to be between 83% and 87% more likely to develop gambling problems as adults. Individuals whose parents gambled were around 80% more likely to experience gambling-related harm themselves.

The findings reflect numerous concerns among regulators and prove that early exposure can have lasting consequences. Online gambling has never been more accessible either.

The report also showed that children and adolescents are especially susceptible. This is because their brains are still developing. Impulse control matures later than reward-seeking behaviour, for example.

"Children and young people are among the most at-risk members of Irish society when it comes to gambling exposure and harm." — Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO, GRAI

Guidance encourages early intervention

The campaign also provides practical advice for parents on recognising behavioural changes that could indicate gambling activity.

The guidance encourages families to discuss gambling from an early age and highlights less obvious forms of gambling exposure. This includes loot boxes and other randomised reward mechanics commonly found in video games.

Parents are also encouraged to look out for warning signs, including:

• Increased secrecy around money.
• Unexplained spending.
• Noticeable mood changes.

Should concerns arise, families are directed towards HSE Addiction Services for advice and support.

Part of wider gambling reforms

The awareness campaign forms part of Ireland's broader implementation of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. This introduced sweeping reforms to the country's gambling framework.

The legislation established the GRAI as Ireland's new gambling regulator and grants it responsibility for licensing operators, enforcing age verification requirements and overseeing advertising restrictions designed to reduce children's exposure to gambling.

The regulator has adopted a phased approach to licensing, with betting licence applications opening in February this year while further elements of the regulatory framework continue to be introduced.

The campaign also mirrors wider international efforts to address youth gambling. Earlier this year, Norway unveiled a four-year national action plan focused on prevention through schools, sports clubs, parents and frontline professionals. This showed increasing concern across Europe over gambling exposure among young people.

UK relevance

Although the campaign is focused on Ireland, it echoes concerns already being addressed in Britain. The UK Gambling Commission has previously highlighted the impact of gambling on families. The most recent Gambling Survey for Great Britain found that almost one in 11 adults experienced harm as a result of someone else's gambling during 2024.

With both regulators placing greater emphasis on early intervention and consumer protection, safeguarding young people is becoming an increasingly prominent feature of gambling regulation across neighbouring markets.