The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has conducted a series of unannounced searches at businesses operating within Ireland’s betting sector, as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into potential breaches of competition law.
These operations, commonly known as “dawn raids,” were carried out with the support of officers from An Garda Síochána’s National Economic Crime Bureau and local District Detective Units. The searches were authorized by warrants issued by the District Court, allowing the CCPC to examine both commercial premises and private residences for evidence of anti-competitive conduct.
While the CCPC has not disclosed the specific nature of the suspected violations, the authority confirmed that the investigation remains active and ongoing. The commission is appealing to individuals or businesses with relevant information to come forward, and it is offering confidential reporting through its secure whistleblowing platform at https://report.whistleb.com/en-GB/ccpc.
The CCPC emphasized the availability of its Cartel Immunity Programme, managed jointly with the Director of Public Prosecutions, as well as its Administrative Leniency Programme. These initiatives allow individuals or companies involved in anti-competitive practices to reduce or avoid penalties by disclosing their conduct and cooperating fully with the investigation. The commission can be contacted confidentially at 087 763 1378 or via email at cartels@ccpc.ie.
The CCPC is the statutory authority responsible for enforcing both Irish and EU competition law. Its mandate includes investigating illegal collusion such as price-fixing, market-sharing, or output restrictions, as well as abuse of dominance practices like predatory pricing or refusals to supply.
Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, the CCPC has stated it will not be providing further comment at this stage.
