# Ireland’s largest charity lottery comes to an end

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/12/21/irelands-largest-charity-lottery-comes-end/
- Published: 2017-12-21T08:45:10+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**One of the biggest charity lotteries in Ireland has announced that it is ceasing
operation, according to a report in the Irish Times.**

The [Irish Times report](https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/rehab-scraps-scratchcards-that-helped-tarnish-its-reputation-1.3322399)
says Elmco, the company that ran scratchcard lotteries and radio bingo on behalf
of [Rehab](http://www.rehab.ie) and other charities, ceased trading this month. 
It attributed this to “accumulated financial losses” as a result of “[changing market dynamics](http://www.rehab.ie/2014/media-statement-regarding-irish-high-court-decision/)
and rapidly evolving technology”.

Based on accounts for 2016, Rehab lottery accounted for €2.9 million of total voluntary
income of €3.4 million for the disability charity. In 2015, the Rehab lottery contributed**
€686,000** to the charity but no contribution in the form of grant income is recorded
for last year.

## Advertisement

 **SEE ALSO: [Rail companies to promote safer charitable giving](https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/10/13/rail-companies-promote-safer-charitable-giving/)(
13 October 2014)**

Rehab ran a number of lottery activities over the years with the main activity being
Rehab Lotteries where the core business was the marketing of a range of scratch 
card games through a network of 1,400 retail agents nationwide and through local
radio stations.

With the setting up of the formerly government-run National Lottery, Rehab became
the main beneficiary of a government compensation scheme for charities running lotteries
which has been phased out. During the time the compensation operated Rehab received
around **€80 million**.
 Rehab says it is currently diversifying its fundraising,
focusing on a new strategic direction with a strong emphasis on local fundraising
for local services. Two years ago Rehab was at the centre of a very high profile
[controversy](https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/02/21/irish-parliamentarian-calls-openness-street-collection-costs/)
over the remuneration of its chief executive.  

 * **[Insight-ful opens benchmarking study into society lotteries](https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/04/30/insight-ful-opens-benchmarking-study-society-lotteries/)**(
   30 April 2018)
 * **[Your Hospice Lottery players raise £1 million for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity](https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/10/26/hospice-lottery-players-raise-1-million-arthur-rank-hospice-charity/)**(
   26 October 2018)
 * **[Record year of fundraising for charity lotteries](https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/11/30/record-year-fundraising-charity-lotteries/)**(
   30 November 2018)

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