The Emerald Isle is setting up a governing body and prohibiting complimentary wagers and daytime promotions.
The Irish administration has enacted a novel gaming regulation bill that will execute a series of gambling adjustments.
The legislation, spearheaded by the Minister for Law Reform James Brown, will create a fresh licensing and regulatory structure for the business. A new official entity will be formed to act as the nation’s overseer, the Gambling Regulatory Authority.
At present, gambling is overseen through a dispersed governance arrangement that encompasses multiple government agencies; including the Department of Justice and Equality, the Revenue Commissioners of the Irish Tax and Customs Service, and the District Courts.
The new entity will possess extensive authority to regulate advertising and gambling, issue permits, and impose penalties and fines.
“Cabinet approval is significant, and the publication of the bill is undoubtedly a major milestone. This is important and necessary legislation to address the challenges of responsible gambling in the 21st century in Ireland,” stated Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin.
This highly anticipated and essential legislation strikes a delicate balance between the liberty to wager and safeguarding individuals from the perils of dependency. The act provides a clear structure for both providers and patrons.
The Emerald Isle is implementing a licensing system for wagering activities.
The new framework will introduce three distinct categories of licenses for both online and physical gambling: business-to-consumer gaming, betting, and lottery permits, business-to-business licenses, and charitable licenses.
Brown stated, “Overhauling Ireland’s gambling regulations was a central pledge within our governmental agenda, and a paramount priority for me as Minister. I am pleased to have advanced this draft legislation to this stage and eagerly anticipate its publication and enactment by the Oireachtas.
“This legislation will establish a robust gambling authority that will prioritize the prevention of harm to individuals susceptible to gambling issues, particularly safeguarding minors. It will also enforce a stringent, contemporary regulatory framework for the gambling sector.”
Brown cautioned that operators persisting in offering illicit gambling services could face criminal prosecution.
It is crucial to ensure that gambling businesses operating without proper authorization from the authorities or violating the terms of their permits face severe consequences. These consequences could involve imprisonment for a period of up to eight years and/or substantial financial penalties imposed by the court.
**New Regulations**
These new regulations will be implemented under the legal framework, altering the manner in which gambling is promoted and advertised. Advertisements for gambling will be strictly limited and prohibited from being broadcast on television or radio between the hours of 5:30 am and 9:00 pm. Free bets and special promotions will also be prohibited.
“The government will prioritize the strict regulation of gambling advertisements. The law explicitly prohibits advertisements that target minors, as well as those that encourage excessive gambling or addiction,” Brown stated.
“In this digital age, to prevent gambling advertisements from proliferating across social media platforms, they will be banned by default.”
“The legislation also includes measures to mitigate the negative impacts of gambling. It will establish a national registry of individuals seeking to abstain from gambling. The law will also prohibit the use of credit cards for gambling purposes. The government will have the authority to prevent companies from offering special deals and promotions.
“A fund will be established to provide assistance to individuals affected by gambling. This fund will be administered by the government and financed by the gambling industry.”
This funding will be allocated to projects focused on curbing problematic gambling and bolstering awareness and educational endeavors.
Sign up for the iGaming newsletter.