Socio-Economic Impact of the National Lottery

National Lottery Socio-economic Impact

The National Lottery supported 17,090 full-time equivalent jobs in Ireland last year, yielding incomes of over half a billion euro (€564.2 million), according to a new independent report by Indecon Economic Consultants.

The jobs figures rise to 21,728 when multiplier effects are taken into account, providing incomes of €802.9 million, the report reveals.

Titled “Socio-Economic Impact of the National Lottery – An Independent Assessment”, the report examines in detail the National Lottery’s impact on GDP, jobs and Good Causes. It estimates the impact of the National Lottery on consumer spending in 2017 to be €1.973 billion, with the returns to the exchequer at €101.3 million.

According to the report almost €8.8 billion has been returned to the community in National Lottery prize winnings in the period from 1987 (when the National Lottery was launched) to 2017, representing over half (53.5%) of National Lottery revenue over that period. €452 million was paid out in prizes last year alone, being 56.5 % of sales.

The breakdown of the 17,090 jobs directly support by the National Lottery in 2017 are:

  • 9,192 in retail
  • 2,763 in organisations that benefit from National Lottery Good Causes funding
  • 4,329 result of spending of National Lottery prize winnings
  • 709 supported by retail agents’ commissions
  • 96 jobs with Premier Lotteries Ireland, operator of the National Lottery.

 

Meanwhile the report outlines the major impact of National Lottery Good Causes funding on communities all over Ireland. It says that the total sum raised for Good Causes in 2017 was €226.3 million or approximately €620,000 a day. Since the National Lottery was established, more than €5.3 billion has been raised.

The number of volunteers in organisations supported by National Lottery funding last year is estimated at 177,000, with the total number of hours volunteered estimated to have an economic value amounting to €79.7 million.

The report also reflects the immense impact of the National Lottery on retail agents who were paid commissions last year of €47 million. When the sales of non-national lottery products in their shops are added, retailers get €209.3 million.

It says: “One of the key differences between the National Lottery and its competitors is that the National Lottery is mandated to raise funds for Good Causes. Approximately 91% of revenue generated by the National Lottery is returned to the community in prizes, retail commission and Good Causes.

Launching the report today National Lottery Chief Executive, Dermot Griffin, said it reflects the wonderful impact of the National Lottery on Irish life.

This is the first detailed analysis of the impact of the National Lottery in Ireland in several years and the findings showcase its importance to communities and economic life all over Ireland.

The National Lottery is deeply embedded in Irish life and its tangible positive impact is clearly laid out in this report. We are very proud of and grateful for the role participants in the National Lottery play and value it creates across Ireland, and want to ensure this impact is sustained and increased over the coming years.

Get the full report here: 

Good Causes benefit from the sale of all National Lottery games

To date the National Lottery has raised over €5.5 billion for good causes. This level of funding has made a significant difference to communities, projects and individuals in the areas of Youth, Sports, Recreation, Amenities, Health, Welfare, Arts, Culture, National Heritage and the Irish Language.