The new Gambling Regulation Bill approved by Ireland’s parliament centralizes regulations that had been distributed over multiple agencies under one Gambling Regulatory Authority, whose director had already been named before the bill was passed. It could become effective early next year.
The reforms approved by Ireland’s coalition government include bans on free bets and daytime advertising and the creation of a licensing regime. Three kinds of licenses will exist: 1) B2C gaming, betting and the lottery, 2) B2B licenses and 3) licenses for charity. It includes regulations on brick-and-mortar and online gambling.
The bill was carried in the parliament by James Browne, minister of state for law reform. Its main creation was the Gambling Regulatory Authority that includes licensing and enforcing of regulations and the regulation of advertising and imposition of fines. It combines regulations that were under several different governmental agencies and departments. Including, but not limited to justice and equality, revenue commissioners from the Irish Tax Authority—and the courts.
Its first executive director, named before the bill was passed, is longtime civil service member Anne Marie Caulfield.
Browne said in a statement: “Reforming gambling legislation and regulation in Ireland is a key commitment in our program for government and justice plan and has been one of my key priorities as minister.”
He added, “This legislation will establish a gambling regulator which will be robust with a focus on prevention of harm to people vulnerable to problem gambling and particularly protecting children and also a focus on enforcement of a strong, modern regulatory framework for the gambling industry.”
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin stated: “This approval by cabinet is significant and the publication of the bill is unquestionably a major milestone. It is an important and necessary piece of legislation, designed to meet the challenges of gambling responsibly in 21st century Ireland.” He added, “This long awaited and much needed bill takes a responsible approach to balancing the freedom to gamble with the safeguards to protect people from falling prey to addiction. This bill provides a clearer framework for operators and for consumers.”
Browne warned offshore, illegal operators who refuse to apply for licenses or who don’t operate according to the provisions of their licenses could face the full force of government action, including criminal prosecution and penalties. If convicted, he said, they could “face up to eight years imprisonment and/or a fine at the discretion of the courts.”
One of the new rules on promotions and advertising bans gaming ads between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. The gambling authority also has the power to prohibit free ads and promotions.
Browne added, “Strict regulation of gambling advertising will be a priority area for the Authority. Under the legislation, advertising intended to appeal to children will be prohibited, as will advertising that promotes excessive or compulsive gambling.” Advertising on social media won’t be allowed.
The bill creates a National Gambling Exclusion Register and bans the use of credit cards to fund gambling. It also creates a Social Impact Fund paid for by the industry to help reduce problem gambling and education.
Ireland’s largest gaming companies, Paddy Power and BoyleSports, have said they are ready for the new regime. They had already stopped taking credit card transactions.
Flutter UK and Ireland Chairman Ian Proctor declared, “As a long-standing advocate of evidence-based safer gambling measures and a well-resourced regulator in Ireland, Flutter welcomes the imminent publication of the Gambling Regulation Bill. This development is a critical milestone and represents clear progress towards the establishment of a new Authority, which needs broad powers to respond to our dynamic and fast-changing industry.”
Reform of Ireland’s gambling laws, which date back to the 1950s, have been urged for a decade, after it became impossible for the courts to convict criminal offenses related to online gaming.
