Lottery boss Dermot Griffin to step down after 14 years in job

The boss of the National Lottery, Dermot Griffin, is to step down after 14 years in the job.

Mr Griffin played a pivotal role in the privatisation of the franchise in 2014, which raised €405 million for the State.

He is also credited with opening up the lotto’s online channel and returning lotto sales to precrash levels after several years in the doldrums.

Last year sales of tickets and scratch cards hit €800 million for the first time in 10 years.

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“In the course of his tenure, Griffin has been responsible for many significant developments including the introduction of the National Lottery Star logo; the development of online and mobile lottery services; the revamping of all lottery games and the extension of the retail network,” the National Lottery said.

It also noted that under his leadership, the business has raised €3.2 billion for good causes.

Other opportunities

Mr Griffin indicated his intention to step down as chief executive of Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI), the company that operates the National Lottery, later this year in order to pursue other opportunities.

“It has been a privilege to lead the National Lottery for the last 14 years during a period of continuous development in all aspects of the business, including the change in ownership from public to private,” Mr Griffin said.

“I am proud of what the Irish National Lottery has become and what it has contributed to Irish society. I feel that the time is now right for me to move on to new challenges,” he added.

Mr Griffin will continue to support the business in an advisory capacity in the coming years, the National Lottery said.

The board of PLI has appointed Barry Herriott of Korn Ferry to assist in the search for a new chief executive.