In an effort to help curb gambling harm, bookmakers in Ireland will ban credit cards both in betting shops and online as well as eliminate advertising for live games if before 9 p.m.
The steps come as the Irish Bookmakers Association (IBA) updates its code of practice.
All association members will adopt the revised code, including Boylesports, Paddy Power owner Flutter Entertainment and Ladbrokes owner Entain, Bet365, Betway and the Kindred Group, which counts brands such as 32Red, according to Independent.ie.
“The IBA has long called for the establishment of a regulator in Ireland, and we welcome the Government’s commitment to legislating for that in the coming period,” said IBA chair Sharon Byrne. “This code is not the answer to problem gambling, and we believe there is more that can be done within the forum provided by a regulator.
The code expects to be put in place this year. Flutter already has initiated the practice.
The removal of TV ads from whistle-to-whistle ads will involve live sporting events and applies from five minutes before the event until five minutes after. The restrictions do not include horseracing or greyhound racing.
“We believe these are important changes for customers and represent the single widest industry initiative seen in Ireland since the introduction of Safer Gambling Week,” Byrne said.
