Social Impact Fund- Call for Input launched

Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland and Pobal to commence a Call for Input for the new Social Impact Fund

The Social Impact Fund, to be financed by a levy on licensed operators, will support a range of services to prevent and address gambling harms

14 April 2025 – The Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRAI) and Pobal have today commenced an initial call for input on the development of a Social Impact Fund, to provide funding and supports for organisations helping to tackle gambling harm.  Details on how to take part are available on www.grai.ie

The development and rollout of a Social Impact Fund is a key priority of the recently established GRAI.  The new fund will invest in educational and awareness initiatives, research and training. Public and private bodies which support people with lived experience of gambling harm and/or gambling addiction through treatment will also benefit from the Social Impact Fund.

The Regulator will apply an annual Social Impact Fund contribution on gambling providers based on the turnover of each business.  The amount of this contribution will be determined by the Minister for Justice, but it will be based around a percentage of licensees’ turnover.

The assessment of need, undertaken by Pobal on behalf of the GRAI, is made up of four questionnaires designed to reach different representative groups and individuals in society:

• People with lived experience of gambling harm/addiction

• People who have been affected by the gambling behaviour of others, including family or friends

• Addiction services that provide treatment or support to those affected by gambling harm

• NGOs, Charities, and Sporting Organisations, working with members of society who may be vulnerable to gambling harms, including children and young people

The questionnaires are designed to gain insight into the experiences of each group in terms of gambling harm and its effects on society, as well as developing a better understanding of what supports are lacking and where improvements can be made. Participants can also opt to continue their involvement in the consultation process, allowing for further information to be collected and a fuller picture to be made of the most impactful interventions to prevent gambling harm in Irish society.

Feedback from the initial Call for Input will be collated to help identify objectives for a Funding Strategy. It is intended to then conduct a wider public consultation based on the initial findings and draft strategic objectives  

Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, T.D. said ‘I welcome the launch today of the Call for Input on the development of the Social Impact Fund. As one of the first initiatives of the newly established Gambling Regulatory Authority, this is a key step towards developing proposals for the Social Impact Fund, which will invest in initiatives to mitigate against harmful gambling behavior and addiction.

I would strongly encourage all interested groups and individuals to participate in this initiative which will also feed into in the development of a broader public consultation on this important issue.

Anne Marie Caulfield, Chief Executive Officer of the GRAI, said: “This Call for Input aims to develop an initial assessment of need, and we will be consulting widely with stakeholders. It will inform our funding strategy and ensure that we allocate funding in the most useful and impactful way.

“Pobal has an excellent track record in managing and administering government and EU funding aimed at social inclusion and community development. This experience will be very beneficial to us as we undertake this important work.” 

Paul Quinn, Chairperson of the GRAI, said: “The commencement of this Call for Input is most welcome and reflects the evidence-based approach we take to all our work.   

“The legislation that underpins the GRAI is, first and foremost, a public health measure, and the Social Impact Fund will allow organisations and bodies to provide essential support, education, training, and other measures that support the GRAI’s public protection mandate.”

Anna Shakespeare, CEO of Pobal said: “Pobal is delighted to work with the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland on the development of the Social Impact Fund. This open consultation process presents an excellent opportunity for those affected by gambling harm in Ireland, and those who work to support them, to help shape the new fund and the services it will support.

We strongly encourage people to engage with this process over the coming weeks and look forward to gaining valuable insights to support us in designing the Social Impact Fund.”

Further information on the Social Impact Fund can be found at https://grai.ie/social-impact-fund.