Ireland's gambling sector is entering an evidence led era, and finance leaders should take note. RTÉ reported on 4 November that new ESRI research, commissioned by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, found that 80% of gamblers have at least one online account, with most holding more than one account. For Irish finance leadership at licensed operators and the professionals who advise them, the data shows clearly where controls will matter most.

This development deserves to be read as an opportunity to build trust rather than a burden. Clear evidence helps regulators set proportionate rules, and it helps operators invest with confidence. Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan said such research supports a framework that is fair, effective and transparent. The findings point to three priorities for advisory firms: the reality of multiple accounts, the new licensing framework, and the customer harm data that will shape oversight.

Multiple accounts are now the norm. The survey of 1,000 people who gambled in the past year found 77% had gambled online, 59% in person and 44% both. More than half of online account holders use several accounts, often at once, and almost four in ten who open an account for horses or sport move on to other products. Records that join up across accounts will become essential.

The harm data adds urgency. Previous ESRI research estimated that around one in 30 Irish adults experiences problem gambling, and 26% of online gamblers said they lost a lot in their last session, against 17% in person. One in four gamblers are trying to cut down or plan to. ESRI's Pete Lunn asked whether consumers understand what they are signing up for.

The regulatory framework is now taking shape, as the Act created the authority to license all operators and enforce statutory restrictions. Under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, remote betting operators can be licensed from 1 July 2026, with in-person operators from 1 December 2026. Applicants must supply financial records and business plans, and licensees must report suspicious patterns that may indicate money laundering. GRAI chief executive Anne Marie Caulfield pointed to coming obligations on account opening, spending limits and advertising.

Advisory firms can help operators respond in several ways. Prepare audit ready financial records and governance documents for licence applications. Audit professionals should test controls that link customer accounts and flag suspicious activity. Finance teams can build board reporting on spending limits, account closures and self exclusion. Practitioners should also signpost clients showing gambling strain to free, confidential MABS support.

The direction of travel is encouraging for the Irish finance sector. Strong financial reporting and robust controls can help licensed operators earn trust, while protecting customers and the wider economy in a more transparent market.