Sir, – It was with interest that we read the letter from PLI chief executive Dermot Griffin (September 15th).
There is no doubt the National Lottery has raised an incredible amount for good causes since its inception, something we, as the European Lotto Betting Association (ELBA), fully acknowledge.
Mr Griffin states that there are currently 15 operators active on the Irish market offering lotto betting. If this true, we’d like to know who they are as there are only six listed as remote bookmaker licence holders on the latest list published by the Revenue Commissioners. If there are unregulated, offshore operators actively marketing their products in Ireland, we would openly encourage them to secure an Irish licence.
Mr Griffin claims that we are unregulated. Not so. We offer lotto betting under the remote bookmaker licence issued by the Revenue Commissioners in Ireland. We are legitimate businesses, offering betting on the outcome of a live event. This is no different to offering betting on the outcome of a sporting event, political election or reality TV series. Our offering is simply focussed on the outcomes of international lotteries.
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As gambling companies, we adhere to strict rules around responsibility. We offer deposit limits, time-outs, proactive support and self-exclusion measures, among other things. The customer protection measures we have in place are based on high standards set in the leading regulatory regimes internationally.
Mr Griffin is wrong to say we do not give back to good causes. As individual companies, we have and continue to contribute to the Marie Keating Foundation, the Community Foundation for Ireland, Irish Red Cross and Dunlewey Addiction Services. Through our donations, we are helping the lives of many Irish people, who face different challenges every day.
There is no evidence of any threat to the National Lottery through our existence, as made clear in the recent National Audit Office’s review of the national lottery in the UK. – Yours, etc,
LENA PATEL,
European Lotto
Betting Association,
St James’s Square,
London.