National Lottery
1) What is Irish National Lottery and who runs it
Irish National Lottery is the state lottery of Ireland, created to finance socially useful projects in the field of sports, culture, health care, youth and local initiatives. Legal framework - National Lottery Act 2013. The state issues an operating license for the lottery to a private operator; it has been owned by Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI) since 2014. Oversight is carried out by the independent Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery.
Key principles:- transparent formation of prize funds and distribution of income;
- consumer protection and 18 + tolerance;
- strict reporting on "Good Causes" - the share of funds going to public purposes.
2) Line of games: from Lotto to scratch cards
The National Lottery is not only a classic Lotto, but also a whole portfolio of products:- Lotto (the main circulation game) with incrementally growing jackpots and additional draws (Lotto Plus options).
- EuroMillions is a pan-European game with large jackpots; in Ireland, additional participation (EuroMillions Plus) is usually offered.
- Daily Million/Daily Million Plus - daily circulations with fixed top prizes.
- Scratch cards (Instant/Scratch) - instant games with different denominations and prize tables.
- Online instances - digital instant draws and ticket purchases in the application/on the website (for 18 + after verification).
3) How to buy a ticket and participate
Where to buy:- at retail partners (shops, kiosks) through the terminal;
- online on the official website or in the application after creating an account and confirming age.
- select numbers (or "quick selection"), add options (for example, Plus), pay with a debit card/bank method;
- get a check/email confirmation - this is your document in case you win.
Age and limits: sale and participation - strictly 18 +. The online account provides deposit/spending limits and time reminders.
4) Prizes and payouts: What to expect
Small winnings are paid from retail partners (up to a set threshold); large ones - in service centers/operator's office after checking the ticket and identity.
The period for presenting a win is limited by the rules of a particular game (usually several months); expired prizes are returned to the prize/promotional fund in accordance with the operator's policy and supervisory rules.
Winnings tax: for individuals, National Lottery winnings are not subject to income tax (excluding specific cases with interest/investment income outside the lottery). The bank can ask questions about the origin of funds in large loans - this is a normal AML practice.
5) Responsible play and consumer protection
The National Lottery follows the responsible-by-design principle:- 18 +, age verification, sales counseling and regular checks;
- online - limits of deposits/spending/time, the option of timeout and self-exclusion;
- fair rules: visible winning chances, prize tables, stock conditions;
- communication without youth appeal and with mandatory risk warnings.
6) Where the money goes: "Good Causes"
Part of the lottery's gross revenue (after prizes and operating costs) is directed to the state for socially useful purposes. Typical areas of funding:- amateur sports infrastructure and youth initiatives;
- culture, arts, local communities;
- health care, charitable programs;
- projects on inclusion and support for vulnerable groups.
Annual reports reveal the amounts and lists of programs supported, making the funding mechanism transparent to society.
7) How the lottery differs from commercial gambling
Purpose: the lottery was created to finance socially useful projects; commercial gambling pursues profit.
Legal regime and supervision: the lottery is governed by a separate law and its own regulator; commercial betting/gaming falls under a different regulatory framework (including reform with the launch of GRAI).
Product and Advertising: Lottery products have fixed prize tables/odds, low-key advertising and rigid age filters.
Responsible game: the default standard is limits, self-exclusion, transparent information about chances.
8) Safety, fraud and verification
Tickets are printed with security (paper, serial numbers, QR/barcodes).
Terminals and circulation systems undergo technical audits and external certification.
For large winnings, KYC and ticket/account authentication are required.
Online accounts are protected by passwords/2FA; suspicious transactions are blocked until clarified.
9) Frequent Questions (FAQs)
Can I play the lottery with a credit card? No - a "no credit card" policy applies for gambling/lottery transactions in Ireland; use debit cards or bank solutions.
Where to watch the odds and rules? The card of each game (on the terminal check, site/application) contains probabilities and prize tables.
What if you lost a paper ticket? Responsibility for keeping the ticket on the player; online purchases are more reliable - tickets are recorded in the account.
Can I give tickets? Yes, but the recipient must be 18 + and must know the rules for winning.
Are commissions taken away from winnings? Winnings are paid in full according to the rules of the game (there are no taxes on winnings for individuals).
10) How to play responsibly
1. Set a spending/time limit before purchasing a ticket.
2. Play for fun, not for "making money"; jackpots are a rare event.
3. Use an online account to record purchases transparently and turn on reminders.
4. Do not transfer the ticket to third parties, keep checks until summing up.
5. For signs of problem play, use timeout/self-exclusion and contact support.
11) What's next: digitalization and transparency
The National Lottery is developing an online channel and app, improving age-based access control, expanding self-monitoring tools, and regularly updating odds/prize communications. At the same time, the lottery retains a separate legal regime and supervision, different from commercial bets and casino products, even as the general reform of the gambling market in the country.
Bottom line: Irish National Lottery is convenient and understandable lottery products under strict supervision, with a focus on transparency, 18 + and financing of public projects. If you choose participation consciously - through limits, checking rules and an online account - the lottery remains what it should be: a safe tool to support "Good Causes" and an entertaining chance for good luck, and not a way of regular income.