Ireland To Implement Tougher Restrictions Under New Gambling Regulation Bill

Summary

• New gambling measures will include a ban on advertising and inducement tactics
• The new bill also looks to establish a new gambling regulator
• The new rules are aimed at providing better safeguards and protection for customers

Ireland has approved new changes to its gambling laws which will see gambling advertisements being prohibited during certain hours, with a ban on gambling inducements also set to be implemented.

Additionally, a new gambling authority will also be established to oversee both online and in-person gambling. Gambling firms will be required to register with the new regulator.

Advertising and Gambling Inducement Ban

Under Ireland’s new Gambling Regulation Bill, gambling advertising will be banned between 5:30 am and 9 pm every day. Gambling operators will also not be allowed to send adverts to players online unless they opt in to receiving ads.

The new rules also include restrictions targeted at children and minors. They will be banned from gaining entry into any gambling venue throughout the country and sports clubs involving underage teams will be prohibited from signing sponsorship agreements with gambling businesses.

The government has also decided to put an end to various strategies adopted by gambling companies to entice people to gamble. Free bets, free hospitality, VIP treatment, and other special offers will now be a thing of the past, with customers also no longer allowed to use credit cards or any type of credit facilities to gamble.

Placing cash machines in betting shops and bookies will also be prohibited, though racetracks are exempted from this measure as they offer other services such as dining and bars.

Ireland Gets New Gambling Regulator

All of the changes will be enforced and supervised by the country’s new regulator, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. The agency will have oversight of online and in-person gambling in the country and will take charge of the licensing process.

Licenses will also be categorized into three: business-to-consumer gaming, betting, and lottery; business-to-business; and licenses for gambling activities carried out for charitable causes. All gambling companies in Ireland must register with the new authority.

The government will also establish a “social impact fund” funded by industry levy which will be used for problem gambling research, support, and treatment initiatives, as well as educational programs. In addition to that, a “National Gambling Exclusion Register” will also be set up to help those struggling with gambling issues.

Illegal operators and those breaching their license conditions could receive up to eight years in jail or fines which will be determined by the courts. The new regulator may also impose fines of up to €20 million on offenders.

Ireland’s Prime Minister Taoiseach Micheal Martin described the new gambling bill as long overdue!