Irish Lottery Operator Penalized for Failing Self-Exclusion Measures

Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI) faces a €150,000 fine, as imposed by the Regulator of the National Lottery in Ireland. The substantial penalty results from violations related to self-exclusion measures.

Upon investigation, the regulator found that PLI contradicted its licence terms. Specifically, they allowed players who had self-excluded to set up new accounts and purchase tickets. In a mishap during 2021, an algorithm mistakenly removed 126 accounts of self-excluded customers. Ideally, these accounts should have been preserved to deter these customers from initiating new ones.

As a result of this oversight, 16 self-excluded players succeeded in creating new accounts, with 10 subsequently purchasing tickets. These 10 players expended a total of €3,292. Furthermore, four of these players received promotional emails.

Even though PLI was not explicitly obligated to provide a self-exclusion option per their licence stipulations, they introduced one voluntarily in 2019. The regulator has emphasized that once this option was in place, PLI had a duty to ensure its efficacy.

The penalty, amounting to €150,000, will be deducted from the payments due to PLI. The funds will subsequently be directed to the exchequer, allocated to charitable purposes. This marks a precedent, as the regulator has never before withheld payment due to a licence infringement.

Carol Boate, the chief of the Irish regulator, commented: “Upon evaluating the investigative report and the remarks from the operator, it became evident that PLI had contravened the licence. Once they offered a self-exclusion feature as a responsible gaming tool, it was incumbent upon them to have the necessary mechanisms to verify that individuals buying tickets hadn’t previously chosen permanent self-exclusion.”

Recent Developments with PLI: In a significant business move in July, the Française des Jeux group (FDJ) — the French national lottery operator — struck a €350m agreement to acquire PLI. This acquisition involved the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, An Post, and the An Post Pension fund. PLI assures that this transaction will not influence its mandate to manage the Irish National Lottery, which extends up to 2034.

On a related note, Ireland has set its sights on establishing a novel gambling regulator as per its Gambling Regulation Bill. Key players in Irish horseracing have expressed apprehension regarding a proposed prohibition on TV gambling adverts from 5.30am to 9pm, aimed at diminishing the exposure of children to gambling advertisements.