National Lottery Regulator in Ireland releases 2023 annual report

The Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery (ORNL) recently released its 2023 annual report, shedding light on various facets of the National Lottery’s performance in Ireland. Despite some challenges, such as a year-on-year sales decline, there were significant developments, including the introduction of a new draw-based game and advancements in player services.

Annual report overview

2023 was a tough year for the National Lottery in Ireland, as the ORNL reported a 6.2 percent decrease in sales compared to 2022. This drop followed a similar pattern observed in 2022, marking a continued downward trend from the record-high sales of €1.05 billion recorded in 2021. While 2021’s success seemed hard to replicate, the reasons behind this decline require further exploration.

Despite the decline in sales, EuroDreams, a new draw-based game, was introduced in 2023. This was the first new National Lottery game in Ireland since 2004. The launch of EuroDreams represents a strategic move by the National Lottery to diversify its product offering and introduce fresh excitement for players.

While the sales report indicated challenges, 2023 also saw significant operational advancements for the National Lottery. The regulator made notable improvements to the self-exclusion facility, allowing players more control over their gambling activities. The new feature allows players to lock themselves out of all current and future Interactive Instant Win games.

One of the key improvements in 2023 was simplifying the prize-claiming process. Players who have verified their identity can now transfer their online winnings directly to their bank accounts.

Breach of Premier Lotteries Ireland

The ORNL’s 2023 report also highlighted a breach of the licence by Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI). This breach occurred between September and October 2022 and involved a technical issue on the PLI website.

The issue arose when players accessed the Check My Numbers Facility on the PLI website before the draw results were officially verified. This led some players to receive inaccurate results, including the message “Ticket Not a Winner,” which prevented them from claiming their rightful prizes.

As a result of this technical failure, 394 prizes went unclaimed. In response, the ORNL withheld €23,000 from payments due to PLI, redirecting this amount to the Irish Exchequer to fund good causes. Despite the breach, it’s important to note that PLI self-identified the issue in 2022 and promptly reported it to the regulator.

Another major development on the horizon is the Gambling Regulation Bill, which is set for debate in the Dáil (Irish Parliament). This legislation aims to reform Ireland’s gambling landscape and could have significant implications for the National Lottery and its regulation.

Despite the challenges faced, the National Lottery and its operators are optimistic about the future. With the introduction of new games and a commitment to improving services, the lottery is positioning itself for further growth.

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