Irish National Lottery Reports Decline in Sales
The Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery (ORNL) in Ireland has released its annual report for 2023, highlighting a 6.2% decline in lottery sales. Despite the drop, new initiatives, including a fresh lottery game and enhanced player protection measures, were implemented.

Sales Decline Reflects Broader Trend
According to the ORNL report, the National Lottery experienced a 6.2% decrease in sales year-on-year for 2023. This follows a similar decline observed in 2022, indicating a continuing downward trend since the record €1.05 billion in sales achieved in 2021. The report attributes the decline to market conditions and changes in consumer behavior, though specific factors were not detailed.
In an attempt to diversify revenue and engage players, the ORNL launched EuroDreams, the first new draw-based lottery game in Ireland since 2004. The new game was introduced as part of the regulator’s strategy to modernize its offerings and counteract the decline in sales. The success of EuroDreams is yet to be fully assessed, but it represents a significant development in the National Lottery’s product lineup.
Enhancements to Player Protection and Prize Claim Processes
The regulator also improved its self-exclusion features in 2023. Players now have the option to exclude themselves from all current and future Interactive Instant Win games. Additionally, players can opt out of receiving marketing messages, enhancing their control over lottery-related interactions.
Further improvements include changes in the prize claiming process. Players who verify their identity can now transfer online winnings directly to their bank accounts. Moreover, mid-tier prizes from tickets purchased online are automatically paid into winners’ accounts, simplifying the process and ensuring a secure transfer of funds.
PLI Found in Breach of Licence
The ORNL’s report also revealed that Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI) breached its licence in 2022. A technical issue occurred between September and October, allowing players to access the “Check My Numbers” feature before the verification of draw results. This led to incorrect messages being displayed, causing 394 prizes to go unclaimed.
In response, the ORNL withheld €23,000 from PLI, redirecting the funds to the Exchequer to support charitable causes. Despite this, the report noted that PLI had identified and reported the issue to ORNL themselves, demonstrating an attempt at compliance.
This report comes as Ireland’s Gambling Regulation Bill nears its final legislative stages. The bill, which is set to be debated in the Dáil, aims to strengthen gambling regulations and ensure greater consumer protection across Ireland’s gaming and lottery sectors.