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New ESRI research shows how online accounts shape gambling in Ireland
New ESRI research published on Wednesday 4 November 2026 found that 77% of people who gamble in Ireland do so online, and 1 in 4 are trying to cut down or plan to.
The research, commissioned by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), gives a detailed picture of how people in Ireland gamble.
What did the ESRI gambling report find?
Patterns of Online and In-Person Gambling in Ireland surveyed 1,000 people who had gambled in the past year. It found:
- 77% had gambled online in the past year, compared with 59% in person
- 54% of those who opened an online account went on to open a second, and 10% had four or more accounts
- Almost 4 in 10 people who open an account to bet on horses or sport go on to other forms of gambling, such as online casino games, slots and scratchcards
- 1 in 7 said their most recent online session directly followed an email, app notification or gambling ad
- Of those receiving app notifications, more than 1 in 4 got them at least daily
- Around 1 in 5 online sessions interrupted another activity, most often work
- 57% of online gamblers lost money in their most recent session, and 26% said they lost “a lot”
- 1 in 4 are trying to reduce their gambling or plan to, and 1 in 3 of those already trying were still gambling the same amount or more than a year earlier
The report also found that people find it easier to open an account and deposit money than to close an account or withdraw winnings. Almost 1 in 5 of those who had closed an account said it was difficult.
“The communications are constant. For someone trying to stop, that’s extremely triggering.”
How are women’s experiences of gambling different?
Claire Donegan, Project Lead of Extern’s Women’s Gambling Support Network, joined Prof Pete Lunn of the ESRI, Prof Colin O’Gara of St John of God University Hospital and Oisín McConville on the panel at the launch. She discussed how women’s experience of gambling can look different, as women generally start on slots rather than progressing to them from sports betting.
What does this mean for people trying to stop?
Barry Grant, Project Manager at Extern Problem Gambling, said the findings reflect what the service hears from clients.
“We often see men, in particular, start out gambling recreationally on sports, then get drawn into far more harmful casino games and slots through offers of free spins and bets,” he said.
“Clients also tell us how hard it can be to close accounts or withdraw winnings. And the communications are constant. For someone trying to stop, that’s extremely triggering.”
The report says future regulation could make it easier to opt out of communications, withdraw money, close accounts and set limits. It also says the number of people with multiple accounts supports a central self-exclusion system across operators.
Where can I get help with gambling?
Extern Problem Gambling is part of Extern, an all-island charity, and offers free support to anyone affected by gambling across the island of Ireland. Visit problemgambling.ie, or call 089 241 5401 (ROI) or 07537 188575 (NI) to arrange a call back.