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Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Irish Examiner view: Free bets escalate gambling problems
Readers who are annoyed by gambling company advertisements that offer free bets to customers are on to something, to judge by a new report from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). The ESRI says that people at risk of problem gambling are more susceptible to the inducements offered by gambling companies, such as free bets and money-back guarantees, and that those people experience significantly more harm from their exposure to them. The ESRI's Diarmaid Ó Ceallaigh said: 'Our findings imply that gambling offers aren't merely marketing tools, but pose a real risk of financial harm, particularly among vulnerable groups.' Mr Ó Ceallaigh's assessment of those gambling offers will resonate with many members of the public. The free bets and various guarantees are clearly aimed at drawing in customers and, as he says, can be seen as marketing tools. That does not stop them from being dangerous in and of themselves, however. The ESRI's research showed that offering such inducements caused participants in its study to spend 10% more and almost halved the number of people opting not to bet, a significant increase in both participants and betting amounts. It is worth pointing out that the study was funded by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), which was established earlier this year to oversee the industry, and not before time. Last March, its chief executive, Anne Marie Caulfield, told this newspaper that the extent of problem gambling in Ireland was '10 times higher than had been previously thought", so clearly action is needed. Presumably, the gambling industry itself will work to solve this problem. Those advertisements mentioned above routinely carry warnings that people should 'gamble responsibly', after all. If those warnings are to be taken seriously, then it means the industry should row in to support the GRAI in its efforts. Apprentice pay rates must rise Last week, we were informed of the labour shortfall in the Irish economy, and the building sector specifically. Alan Barrett of the ESRI said getting housing completions up to about 50,000 a year would require about 40,000 additional construction employees, though he added that '80,000 additional employees' might be needed to complete the National Development Plan, according to research by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council. One of the challenges in recruiting so many workers was spelled out by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions this week when it called for apprentices to be paid the minimum wage. New pay rates for apprentices are due to come into effect at the end of July, but they start at €7.66 per hour. It is only in the third year of an apprenticeship that pay exceeds the current national minimum wage of €13.50 per hour. It is difficult to believe that apprentices are expected to survive on €7.66 per hour, but that revelation makes it easy to understand why we have labour shortages. What's your view on this issue? You can tell us here It is not clear how we can be serious about encouraging people to take up the building trades when apprentices can expect to be paid half the minimum wage. An Ictu spokesperson added that employers in the sector agree that apprentice pay rates should start with the minimum wage as a baseline, but those employers also claimed legislation is required because they would be at a competitive disadvantage if they applied those higher pay rates unilaterally. There may be some substance to the suggestion that paying higher rates would eat into profits. There is less substance to claims to be in favour of the minimum wage if you need the law to force you to pay that rate. It might be helpful to hear from some large-scale developers on this issue. Many of them are swift to articulate their concerns about various challenges, so it would be good to hear some of them back the Ictu call for apprentices to be paid the minimum wage — for everyone's benefit. McGregor's court system experience Cianan Brennan of this parish reported earlier this week on a Court of Appeal hearing which was held in the Hugh Kennedy Court within the Four Courts complex. The choice of such a relatively small facility was a surprise, he noted, because the matter at hand was of considerable public interest. The Court of Appeal is to refer Conor McGregor's withdrawal of his application to the DPP for criminal investigation. File picture: PA The court was supposed to hear new information gathered by Conor McGregor regarding Nikita Hand: readers will be aware that Ms Hand won her case against Mr McGregor last November, when she was awarded nearly €250,000 in damages after the High Court jury in a civil rape case found Mr McGregor had assaulted Ms Hand in December 2018. However, no new information emerged. Just before the hearing was due to start, Mr McGregor's lawyers told the Court of Appeal they would be withdrawing the new claims. The court duly allowed the application to be withdrawn, but Ms Hand's senior counsel later said his client was owed an apology, adding that the matter should be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions. Before the close of business that day, we learned that the Court of Appeal is to refer Mr McGregor's withdrawal of his application to the DPP for criminal investigation. Difficult though it is to believe, Mr McGregor recently aspired to become President of Ireland. The duties of the President include signing legislation into law and referring bills to the Supreme Court. He is certainly becoming more and more familiar with the workings of the Irish court system. Read More Irish Examiner view: Water fixes will come at a delayed cost
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
Study finds inducements lead to gamblers spending more
A new study has found that gambling companies encourage people to gamble more than they would otherwise, through special offers and inducements. The study, commissioned by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), the Department of Justice and undertaken by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) found that these offers encourage people to gamble more, even when poor odds on a bet are offered. Special offers or inducements, such as free bets and moneyback guarantees, are regularly used by gambling companies in their marketing campaigns. The study found that vulnerable people, such as those at higher risk of becoming problem gamblers, were most at risk of gambling more and losing more as a result of being offered inducements. As part of the study, 622 men under 40 were given money to place up to six realistic bets on the Euro 2024 football tournament. Half of the participants, who were randomly selected, were offered inducements, which led to them spending 10% more than those who were not offered inducements. The inducements also reduced the number of participants opting not to bet by nearly half. Inducement bets that were designed as "bad", showing odds far below market rates, were undertaken by participants in this group, who were three times more likely to spend money on "bad" bets. Participants were surveyed after the study on their knowledge and understanding of inducements. Even amongst regular betters, most did not know that there were restrictions on free bets and that they would not receive their stake back if they won a free bet. Inducements soon to be an offence Under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, inducements or encouragements to gamble further will soon be an offence and licensed operators will no longer be allowed to offer free bets. Multiple European countries have also begun to regulate inducements. "I very much welcome this research from the ESRI examining the impact of inducements to gamble on gambling behaviours. Having a clear evidence base is critically important to the GRAI as we commence our work in regulating the gambling industry," said Paul Quinn, GRAI Chairperson. "This study clearly indicates the damaging effect of certain practices around inducements. It underlines the importance of the provisions of the Gambling Regulation Act in limiting a person's exposure to inducements to gamble. "We look forward to working with Minister O'Callaghan in addressing the issue as we implement the new regulations," he added. GRAI CEO, Anne-Marie Caulfield said that the study highlighted a lack of public knowledge regarding inducements to bet. "The impact of these inducements go beyond simple marketing by betting companies," she said. "It is our responsibility to ensure that gambling operators do not encourage excessive or compulsive gambling behaviour, and that we protect vulnerable people in our society, such as children and young people and those more likely to experience gambling harm. "The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 sets out obligations for licensees in the way in which inducements can be offered, including a ban on targeted inducements, and the findings of this study affirm these measures," she added. Increase in online gambling ESRI Research Officer Diarmuid Ó Ceallaigh said that there had been "huge growth" in online gambling over the last decade. "There's a lot more risk associated around online gambling because of the fact that you just can't get away from it if you have a gambling problem," he said on RTÉ's Morning Ireland. "At least if it was a bookmakers, they have to close at night, whereas you just have 24/7 access to your phone with online gambling and it's more difficult to control it." Mr Ó Ceallaigh said the difference between these inducements and offers on other products is that gambling is highly addictive. "The fundamental difference between, say an offer on a gambling product and an offer on something like clothes, is that gambling is a highly addictive product and there's a high rate of problem gambling in Ireland," he said. "We showed in a report two years ago that one in 30 adults in Ireland suffer from problem gambling, so there's a fundamental difference there." Mr Ó Ceallaigh said that the implications of the study show that these offers pose a real risk of financial harm, particularly to vulnerable people. "There's certainly a case there for restrictions and regulation of inducements or offers to go beyond what's currently legislated", he added.
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Free bets coax people into betting more, including problem gamblers
Free bets and moneyback guarantee offers lure more people to place a bet and spend more money, particularly those at risk of problem gambling, a study has found. The ESRI's Behavioural Research Unit also found that people were three times more likely to spend money on bad bets after being shown an offer. Advertisement The new research, funded by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), used a controlled experiment to test whether offers, or 'inducements', alter betting behaviour. The experiment was run with a sample of 622 men under 40 just prior to the Euro 2024 football championship. Participants were given money to place up to six realistic bets on Euro 2024 matches. Half the participants, selected at random, were shown offers of free bets and moneyback guarantees on some bets, while the other half saw no offers. Advertisement These inducements caused participants to spend over 10% more and reduced the number of people opting not to bet by a half. Some bets were intentionally designed as 'bad bets', offering odds well below market rates, meaning participants were better off choosing other options or not betting at all. Participants exposed to the offers were three times more likely to spend money on these bad bets. The study also found that those at risk of problem gambling were more affected by the inducements than those not at risk. Advertisement After the experiment, participants answered questions about their understanding of the inducements. Even though most of the participants were regular bettors, most did not realise that there were restrictions on free bets, and many did not know that they would not receive their stake back if they won a free bet, both of which are standard practice in the market. Dr Diarmaid O Ceallaigh, of the ESRI's Behavioural Research Unit, said that the findings call for stricter regulation of gambling offers in Ireland. He said: 'Our findings imply that gambling offers aren't merely marketing tools, but pose a real risk of financial harm, particularly among vulnerable groups. Advertisement 'The results support the case for stricter regulation of gambling offers in Ireland, following steps already taken in other European countries, such as banning sign-up bonuses, restricting offers to at-risk individuals, and capping their value.' Chief executive of Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland Anne Marie Caulfield said she welcomed the the findings and said they 'add weight to the discourse' around the harms of gambling inducements. She said: 'We are committed to continued research to understand the extent of gambling in Ireland, the drivers of gambling harms and the impact of inducements and advertising on gambling behaviours. 'We are actively engaged with a broad range of stakeholders including with industry, charities and with people who have lived experience of harm caused by gambling. Advertisement 'The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 sets out obligations for licensees in the way in which inducements can be offered, including a ban on targeted inducements, and the findings of this study affirm these measures.'
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Gambling offers lure people into betting more, ESRI report finds
Published today, a new study titled 'Effects of inducements on sports gambling and decision-errors' was conducted by the Behavioural Research Unit of the ESRI. The research, funded by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), used a controlled experiment on a sample of 622 men aged under 40, just before the Euro 2024 football championship, to test whether offers or 'inducements' change the betting behaviour. As part of the experiment, participants were given money to place up to six realistic bets on Euro 2024 matches. Half of the group, which was selected randomly, were presented with offers of free bets and money-back guarantees on some bets, while the other half saw no offers. These offers caused participants to spend over 10pc more of their money, and decreased the number of people who chose not to bet at all by almost half. Some bets were intentionally designed as 'bad bets', offering odds well below market rates, which meant that participants were better off choosing other options or not betting at all. Those who were exposed to these offers were three times more likely to spend money on these bad bets. ESRI postdoctoral research fellow and the co-author of the study, Dr Diarmaid Ó Ceallaigh, said the findings 'imply that gambling offers aren't merely marketing tools, but pose a real risk of financial harm, particularly among vulnerable groups'. We are committed to continued research to understand the extent of gambling in Ireland 'The results support the case for stricter regulation of gambling offers in Ireland, following steps already taken in other European countries, such as banning sign-up bonuses, restricting offers to at-risk individuals, and capping their value,' Dr Ó Ceallaigh added. The study also showed those at risk of problem gambling were more affected by the inducements than those not at risk. Even though the majority of participants were regular bettors, most did not realise there were restrictions on free bets and that they would not receive their stake back if they won a free bet – both of which are standard practice in the market. The CEO of the GRAI, Anne Marie Caulfield, said the findings 'add weight to the discourse around the harms of gambling inducements'. 'We are committed to continued research to understand the extent of gambling in Ireland, the drivers of gambling harms and the impact of inducements and advertising on gambling behaviours,' she said. 'We are actively engaged with a broad range of stakeholders, including with industry, charities and with people who have lived experience of harm caused by gambling. 'The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 sets out obligations for licensees in the way in which inducements can be offered, including a ban on targeted inducements, and the findings of this study affirm these measures.'
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Yahoo
G'RAI TRX: Queen's favourite mee rebus & crispy chicken chop with XL portions at this British-Malaya eatery
This one is a little special. I've passed by this striking, golden-bronze restaurant at The Exchange, TRX more times than I can count, always intrigued but never quite stepping in. It wasn't until a thoughtful recommendation from one of our readers that I finally decided to give G'RAI a go. Judging by the name alone, I initially assumed it was a Thai restaurant. But a closer look revealed that it actually specialises in British-Malaya cuisine. I've always had a soft spot for our local fare. British cuisine, on the other hand, hasn't exactly won me over. Still, I was more than happy to give it a shot for the sake of curiosity, and of course, for our dear reader. Right from the start, it's clear that this place sits on the pricier end of the spectrum as the most affordable item hovers around RM19++. I don't usually mind paying a little more, as long as the food lives up to it. Let's put it to the test! Unfamiliar with the restaurant's reputation, I took a quick look at their Instagram and was surprised to see several visits by Malaysian royalty, most notably Her Royal Highness the Permaisuri of Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah. In fact, before you even step inside, you'll see it proudly declared that G'RAI's Mee Rebus is the Queen's favourite. That alone made it a must-try. At RM21.50, the Mee Rebus arrived in a notably generous portion. If you're not a particularly big eater, it's definitely a dish worth sharing. It featured yellow noodles drenched in a thick, sweet potato-based gravy, topped with tauhu, fritters (kueh rojak), fucuk, a heap of fried shallots, sliced red chillies, and a wedge of lime. The noodles were pleasantly free from that distinct alkaline aftertaste often found in mee kuning, but the gravy, while rich in texture, didn't quite deliver in flavour. The dominant note came from the umami of dried shrimp paste, followed by a mild heat and a whisper of sweetness from the sweet potatoes. The toppings added more to the texture than the taste. Unfortunately, the fritters had gone soggy in the gravy, and the tauhu remained bland, as the thick sauce struggled to seep in. To top it off, the dish was already fairly spicy, and the sambal on the side packed an extra fiery punch. Definitely not for the faint of heart. Happy Meal Bakery: Chinatown's 20+ y.o. bakery serving moist banana cake, rich durian puff & silky egg tarts on a budget To explore the 'British' side of G'RAI's concept, we went for the British Chicken Chop (RM31.50). Like the Mee Rebus, the portion was impressively large. The plate arrived with a sizeable slab of crispy fried chicken chop, accompanied by a side of greens, coleslaw, brown sauce, and a generous serving of thick-cut fries. The chicken had been flattened before frying and coated in a thin, crumbly batter. While the crust had a satisfying crunch, it bordered on abrasive — hard enough that it might just scratch the roof of your mouth. Though thigh meat was obviously used, it turned out a little dry, and the sheer amount of chewing it required made the experience feel more tiring than enjoyable halfway through. The mushroom-infused brown sauce didn't do much to elevate the dish, as its flavour mirrored the chicken's too closely. A sauce with a bit more contrast — maybe something peppery, tangy, or even spicy — might have helped bring a breath of fresh air to the dish. As for the sides, the slaw leaned heavily on mayo rather than cabbage, which was fine but unremarkable, and the fries, while plentiful, lacked the crispness I had hoped for. Just soft, starchy potatoes without much bite. It's never fun to end a review on a less-than-stellar note, but sometimes it's necessary. For both myself and my dining companion, G'RAI at TRX fell short of expectations. The Mee Rebus, despite its royal endorsement, didn't quite justify the price, while the British Chicken Chop felt more like a chore than a feast. That said, taste is always subjective! What didn't work for us might be just right for you. If the concept intrigues you, by all means, give it a try. Who knows? It might just be your cup of tea. Expected damage: RM21.50 – RM31.50 per pax Rumah Moq: Hidden dinner spot in JB with decent chicken chop & cheese burger from RM5 The post G'RAI TRX: Queen's favourite mee rebus & crispy chicken chop with XL portions at this British-Malaya eatery appeared first on
