A new report, commissioned by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), suggests that gambling offers entice people to bet more, with those at risk of problem gambling being especially susceptible.
The new research comes from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) with it finding 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.”
A controlled experiment involved 622 men under the age of 40 and all were given money to place up to six realistic bets on the Euro 2024 soccer tournament.
Half of the people involved were randomly selected and shown offers of free bets and moneyback guarantees on some bets. This led to these participants spending over 10% more than those who were not given inducements.
⚠️Gambling offers lure people to bet more, particularly people at risk of problem gambling, according to our latest report published today📊 The study, funded by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, used a controlled experiment to test whether offers or “inducements” alter betting behaviour
— Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) (@esri.ie) 2025-07-03T09:14:43.576Z
Controlled study finds those with gambling offers spent 10% more
“The inducements also reduced the number of participants opting not to bet by nearly half,” the GRAI says.
“Even 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.”
❓Most participants, even regular bettors, did not understand the restrictions on free bets, such as not receiving their stake back if they won📖Read the Journal Article, published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions: akjournals.com/view/journal…📝Read the summary: www.esri.ie/publications…
— Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) (@esri.ie) 2025-07-03T09:17:01.154Z
The research comes as inducements or encouragement to gamble further will soon be an offense in Ireland, with licensed operators no longer allowed to offer free bets that are targeted towards individuals and specific groups.
When the people involved in the study were asked about their understanding of inducements, most didn’t know that there were restrictions on free bets and that they wouldn’t receive their stake back if they won a free bet.
Speaking about the research, the chairperson of the GRAI Paul Quinn said: “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. This latest research will help inform that work and in educating the public on this matter.
“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.”
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