Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has confirmed the Government has put the National Lottery on a list of potential assets for sale.
While he stressed no decision has been made, it said the Government was looking at all of its options as part of an effort to raise €2 billion in a programme of disposals of State assets.
"Even if there is a decision to sell all or part of it or have some private sector involvement in the the National Lottery it would be done in a way to protect the National Lottery, so that the lottery itself would continue and make the contribution the lottery makes to worthwhile causes, community activity and sport,'' Mr Gilmore said.
"No decision has been made. It is a case of the Government looking at what its options are and that is one of the options,'' he added.
