Flutter Entertainment PLC, owner of the Paddy Power, Betfair and Sky Bet iGaming brands, announced the introduction of a range of proactive measures to its operations in Ireland to update its safer gambling policies and to mitigate the potential for harm.
The measures include a ban on the use of credit cards to fund gambling on the company’s sites in Ireland, along with the commitment of 1 percent of net gaming revenue to support the research, education and treatment of problem gambling, and a pre-watershed whistle-to-whistle advertising ban that will restrict advertising during live sports.
These measures are supplemented by a range of measures already in place to facilitate intervention when signs of harmful gambling behavior are identified through artificial intelligence and human monitoring.
“We welcome the Irish government’s commitment to introducing gambling regulation during its lifetime.” said Conor Grant, CEO of Flutter UK & I. “But gambling operators must act responsibly without being required to do so.
“We recognize that gambling has undergone a technological transformation over the past two decades. The influence of the smartphone, social media, and on-demand streaming has been profound. We understand that legislating for these developments is complex and may take some time. We have decided to introduce several measures, well in advance of the legislation, to enhance the effectiveness of our safer gambling policies in Ireland.”
Flutter brands in Ireland, including Paddy Power, Betfair and Sky Bet, will cease to accept credit card payments from customers on all online customer accounts and in Paddy Power shops. Customers who currently have a credit card as their active payment method will have to replace that payment method with an available alternative.
The implementation of required technology changes will occur over the coming six weeks, and it is anticipated that the ban will be in effect beginning in early April. Beginning May 1, Flutter will introduce a restriction on TV advertising on all live sport before 9 p.m. This removal of advertising will involve live sporting events including GAA, soccer, rugby, golf, tennis, boxing, basketball, athletics, American football, darts and motor sports, and will run from 5 minutes before the event until 5 minutes after. This will not include horse racing or greyhound racing.
Flutter will significantly increase its donations to Irish safer gambling organizations over the next three years. By 2023, 1 percent of Flutter’s net gaming revenue (NGR) from Irish customers will be given to initiatives focused on the research, education, and treatment of problem gambling.
