Carol Boate: the new Irish lotto regulator

Carol Boate, a former official with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, has been appointed as the National Lottery’s watchdog.

Former director of corporate services with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission Carol Boate has been appointed as head of the National Lottery. The new lotto’s watchdog will take Liam Sloyan’s position starting next week.

In 2014, as a step prior to privatising the business, legislation governing the lottery was overhauled and provides for a regulator to monitor and enforce compliance by the operator. The new regulator will have the power to veto new games or price rises and was welcomed by the body’s current staff, who stated they are “looking forward to working with her.”

Ms Boate is expected to further monitor the lotto’s expansion online as it has been heavily restricted under the old license. The National Lottery’s website was recently revamped and has about 20 instant-win games that generate big sales for the business.

Last week the National Lottery reported a 12 per cent increase in turnover to US$880k for last year and announced a plan to expand at a national level by rolling out its games in supermarkets and discount stores.