Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 January 2011
83 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries (Unclaimed Winnings) Bill 2010 provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3118/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Deputy's Private Member's Bill to which he refers proposes that unclaimed winnings from betting, gaming and lottery activities would be transferred to a new "Unclaimed Prizes Fund" and available for disbursement by a new "Unclaimed Winnings Board" to support certain types of social programmes or projects and that the Bill also proposes to give certain powers and functions to the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport in relation to such matters. I can inform the Deputy that, in the case of the National Lottery, arrangements are already in place in relation to unclaimed prizes, reflecting the terms of the licence under which the National Lottery is operated. Unclaimed prizes are set aside and, with approval, may be used from time to time to fund additional prizes in further games or draws.
In relation to betting, I understand that the amount of unclaimed winnings from bets placed with bookmakers' shops or on-course bookmakers is likely to be very small given the nature and profile of the industry and its consumers. In the case of bets placed with remote or internet bookmakers, I understand that the issue of unclaimed winnings is unlikely to arise, as a person's account with a given bookmaker is automatically credited in a situation where the bet has been successful.
