Ulster GAA Secretary Raises Concerns Over Ireland’s Upcoming Gambling Legislation

Key Takeaways 💬

• The Gambling Regulation Act (2025) introduces stricter advertising rules, including restrictions on prize draws over €10,000 during daytime hours.
• The GAA’s request for exemption from these rules was denied, raising concerns about its ability to fund community initiatives.
• Despite the setback, the GAA remains committed to responsible gambling, partnering with Gambling with Lives to address gambling harm.

The Gambling Regulation Act, which is set to take effect in the latter half of 2025, introduces stricter rules regarding advertising, including significant restrictions on prize draw promotions and some of the key fundraising activities that the organisation uses.

In its annual report, Ulster GAA secretary Brian McAvoy highlighted a key issue: the GAA is not included in the list of exceptions to the legislation. This means that the new guidelines will prohibit the advertisement of prize draws exceeding €10,000 during daytime hours, specifically between 5:30 AM and 9:00 PM.

As a not-for-profit organisation, the GAA believes it should be exempt from these advertising restrictions. McAvoy emphasised that the ticket sales from their prize draws directly benefit local communities, helping fund initiatives and keep traditional Gaelic sports thriving. He explained:

“While fully appreciating the desire to limit media exposure to commercial gambling outlets and companies, especially amongst young people, it is disappointing that the Association’s efforts to include not-for-profit community organisations, like the GAA, to be included in the group of ‘exceptions’, alongside charitable and philanthropic bodies, were not taken on board by the Government.

“After all, when people buy a ticket for a club or county fundraising draw, they are not doing so with any great expectation of winning, but rather to lend support to the venture which will invariably be to the benefit of the entire community.”

Despite these arguments, Ulster GAA’s request for exemption was denied. This decision has sparked worries about the potential impact on the GAA’s ability to raise funds for its activities, which include promoting traditional Irish sports such as hurling and camogie across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

In addition to their concerns about the legislation, Ulster GAA has shown their support for efforts to address problem gambling. The organisation has partnered with Gambling with Lives, a charity focused on raising awareness and educating young people about the risks of gambling-related harm. This collaboration underscores the GAA’s commitment to tackling gambling issues while balancing its own fundraising needs.

Ireland’s Gambling Regulation Act represents a major overhaul of the country’s approach to gambling. The legislation seeks to modernise how the industry operates, with a focus on protecting players, licensing operators, and curbing potentially harmful gambling practices. A newly established regulator will oversee these reforms, mirroring the role of the Gambling Commission in the UK.

The reforms aim to protect individuals from gambling harm, they also risk inadvertently affecting not-for-profit groups like the GAA, which rely on these mechanisms to sustain their work.

Despite the rejection of their exemption request, Ulster GAA may still be hopeful that the decision can be revisited before the regulations come into full effect.