National Lottery CEO sounds 'corrosive' lottery betting product warning
The chief executive of the National Lottery has cautioned that lottery betting products offered by bookmakers remain a significant concern for the long-term sustainability and integrity of the National Lottery.
Cian Murphy made his comment today as the National Lottery confirmed that last year 29 players won €1m or more in prizes from the National Lottery.
New accounts filed by Premier Lotteries Ireland DAC (PLI) show that the company recorded a pre-tax profit of €6.9m in 2025 which followed a pre-tax loss of €5.9m in 2024 - a positive swing of €12.8m.
The company returned to profit as ticket sales increased by 2% or €15.9m from €855.7m to €871.6m.
The company generated €546.1m in sales from draw based games and €325.5m from scratch cards and instant win games.
Last year, €504.4m was paid out in prizes which was 3.4% up from €487.7m paid out in 2024.
In 2025, 29 players in Ireland won prizes of €1m or more while the year was marked by the record-breaking €250m EuroMillions jackpot won by a family syndicate in Cork in June.
Other major wins included a €17m EuroMillions jackpot in December and a €17m Lotto jackpot won by an online player in Mayo in August.
Last year, digital channels continued to deliver strong growth, with online sales increasing by €13.1m, or 8.4%, to €168.2m.
Digital sales represented 19.3% of total National Lottery sales in 2025, compared with 18.1% in 2024.
"2025 was a strong year for the National Lottery and one marked by significant milestones, most notably the €250m EuroMillions win in Cork, the largest lottery prize ever won in Ireland," Mr Murphy said.
"Almost €239m was generated for Good Causes during the year, supporting thousands of organisations and communities across the country," he said.
"Protecting that contribution into the future remains a key priority," he remarked.
Mr Murphy said that lottery betting products offered by bookmakers remain a significant concern for the long-term sustainability and integrity of the National Lottery by diverting revenue that would otherwise support Good Causes and local retailers."
"PLI has raised the negative and corrosive impact of lottery betting on Good Causes and local retailers with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and emphasised the need for urgent action to address the adverse impact," he stated.
The profit for PLI last year takes account of combined non-cash depreciation and amortisation costs of €32m.
Numbers employed remained at 180 as staff costs increased marginally from €19.8m to €20.1m.
Directors' emoluments declined from €900,000 to €700,000.
The lottery firm paid out a dividend of €10m to its parent firm while there was also a €35m equity reduction.
The amount paid out to Good Causes was €238.7m which was down marginally on the €239.3m paid out in 2024.
Mr Murphy pointed out that nearly 30 cent in every €1 spent on National Lottery games goes back to Good Causes in the areas of sport, youth, health, welfare, education, arts, heritage and the Irish language.
In total, over €7 billion has been raised for Good Causes since the National Lottery was established 39 years ago.
The numbers on the PLI retail network stood at 5,123 compared to 5,166 one year prior - a decrease of 43.
At the end of December last, the firm had accumulated profits of €162m. Shareholder funds totalled €211.7m while cash funds declined from €58.9m to €35.9m.
PLI is owned by French gaming company and lottery operator La Française des Jeux (FDJ) after it purchased the lottery firm in 2023 in a deal worth €350m.
PLI, which holds the rights to the lotto until 2034, was majority owned (80%) by Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) with An Post retaining a 20% stake in the business since 2014.
https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2026/1022/1596465-national-lottery-results/