Donohoe: No evidence online bets on draws hit Lotto business

The National Lottery has said it is disappointed after Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said “there does not appear to be any evidence” that online betting on the outcome of draws is having an impact on the Lotto’s business. Mr Donohoe’s comments come amid an ongoing row between the National Lottery and gambling operators, with the former claiming that betting on the outcome of lottery draws on third-party websites is “cannibalising” Lotto earnings, which has a consequential impact on money raised for good causes.

The National Lottery has repeatedly called on the Government to legislate in the area. However pressed on the issue in the Dáil recently, Mr Donohoe said the latest reports of the current Lotto operator, Premier Lotteries Ireland, show an increase in gross ticket sales.