Blaa Giveaways Cancels Tramore House Raffle After Local Pushback
Blaa Giveaways has cancelled its planned prize draw for a five-bedroom home in Tramore, County Waterford, following direct pushback from local residents and politicians. The company, which operates online competitions for homes, cars, and cash, purchased the property within a housing estate in the seaside town before local opposition halted the campaign.
Residents discovered the raffle after company representatives visited the property over recent weeks. According to The Journal, letters sent by residents to local politicians outlined fears that local families had been outbid during the company’s acquisition of the house. Further anxieties focused on whether the property might be converted into a short-term let given its location in a popular tourism destination.
Discussions Between Residents and Company Directors
Following meetings between local residents and representatives of the raffle firm this week, the parties exchanged emails confirming the draw would not proceed. Paul Leonard, a Tramore-based architect and director of Pleo Media Ltd—the firm running Blaa Giveaways—participated in discussions with residents over the opposition to the sale. Leonard is listed as a director alongside five other directors based in Northern Ireland, according to company documents.
The property was previously purchased in a 2023 sale for €506,000, according to the Property Price Register. It was subsequently listed over the summer with an asking price exceeding €700,000.
Broader Concerns Over Housing Market Distortion in Waterford
Waterford Sinn Féin TD Conor McGuinness told The Journal that he was contacted by concerned locals regarding the commercial purchase of residential properties for prize raffles. McGuinness stated that residents feared finding themselves priced out of the market in tourist towns and warned of the housing market being distorted by commercial raffle operators.
McGuinness has contacted the housing and justice ministers to seek clarity on how such commercial activities are regulated. Questions have also been raised in the Oireachtas regarding whether online prize draws fall under gambling legislation. The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) noted that operators providing paid online prize competitions will generally be governed by the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 once relevant legislation commences to oversee licensing, compliance, and enforcement.
Outstanding Questions Regarding the Waterford Property Status
The Journal reported that Blaa Giveaways did not respond to requests for comment before publication regarding the local concerns. It remains unclear whether the company intends to return the Tramore house to the open property market.
Answers to Common Questions About the Cancelled Tramore Raffle
Why did Blaa Giveaways cancel the Tramore house raffle?
The company cancelled the draw after meetings and email exchanges with local residents and politicians who raised concerns about housing price inflation and potential conversion to short-term lets.
Who operates Blaa Giveaways?
Company documents show that Blaa Giveaways is run by Pleo Media Ltd, which was established in 2024 and lists Tramore-based architect Paul Leonard alongside five directors based in Northern Ireland.
How much was the Tramore property purchased for previously?
According to the Property Price Register, the five-bedroom home was bought in a 2023 sale for €506,000 before being listed over the summer with an asking price above €700,000.