Ireland Gambling Regulator
The Republic of Ireland is finally moving forward with a plan to set up a centralized gambling regulator, but it may not be in place until late next year. Officials confirmed it may take up to 18 months to enact, given that legislation must be approved before the authority can issue gambling licenses and permits, as well as impose fines, at a. ICLG - Gambling Laws and Regulations - covers common issues in gambling laws and regulations – including relevant authorities and legislation, application for a licence, licence restrictions, digital media, enforcement and liability – in 37 jurisdictions. Published: ICLG.com Practice Areas Gambling Ireland. Ireland To Eventually Establish A New Gambling Regulator March 22, 2019 by Ella McDonald Irish Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar has confirmed a new independent gambling regulator will not be established for the next 18 months. The proposals to establish an independent gambling regulator by the Irish government has received full support of the industry. “You are going to be talking about money laundering, you’re going to be talking about problem gambling, enforcement, licensing, research, regulation, inspection, so you could have up to 100 people working in this authority with.
Lawmakers in Ireland have been working hard to revamp the country’s gambling laws. Reports indicate that Ireland has a legitimate gambling addiction problem. Ireland’s new gambling regulator will be launching soon, and the hope is that it can curb the gambling problem affecting thousands of citizens.
Today, we’re going to explain why this new gaming regulator is being set in place. Later, we’ll talk about the impact this government body may have on Ireland’s gambling industry. Things are changing here fast, and many questions remain regarding how it will impact players and companies.
Ireland’s New Gambling Regulator Is a Necessity
It’s well-known that Ireland has one of the largest online gambling markets in the world. A number of top online gambling companies are based here, many of which bring millions in revenue every single month. The massive amount of both land-based and online gambling options has led to a significant rise in gambling addiction throughout the country.
In 2013, Ireland passed the Gaming Control Bill. This allows foreign gambling companies to legally operate in the country after obtaining a license from the government. As more gambling operators launch here, problem gambling becomes an even bigger issue.
A report by The Irish Times indicates that one in ten children in Ireland gamble illegally on a regular basis. More than 40,000 people in this country are said to have a serious gambling addiction issue.
Northern Ireland Gambling Regulator
David Stanton, the Minister of State, has made it clear that he supports Ireland’s new gambling regulator. The new group will set a number of restrictions over the gambling industry. Their goal is for the market to stay profitable while still helping those with problems from gambling.
New Gambling Regulatory Body Will Launch Within 18 Months
David Stanton has recently told the media that the new gambling authority will officially launch within 18 months. According to The Irish Post, lawmakers here are still working to agree on the new Gambling Control Bill. This bill will set a number of new restrictions on gambling advertisements and sponsorships.
Stanton claims that the new regulatory group will need significant investment before it’s ready to launch. He believes that online gambling application fees may be enough to fund the group.
Ireland Gambling Legislation
Speaking at a recent meeting with media, Stanton claimed, “The proposed comprehensive reform will be of significant impact. Without a new regulatory authority, sufficiently resourced, there is no prospect of progressing modern licensing and regulation.”
Ireland Gambling Regulatory
The Gambling Control Bill will obviously take time to officially launch. Ireland opened its doors to foreign gambling companies just a few years ago, yet the same gaming laws have existed here since 1956. Will the new gambling regulator really help to stop the spread of gambling addiction here?
What Does the Future of Ireland’s Gambling Industry Look Like?
Ireland is in a very similar position to the UK. Both countries have massive online gambling markets. They both deal with huge gambling addiction problems. Not long ago, the UK announced a new “National Strategy” to combat problem gambling.
It’s clear that regulations on the internet gambling market in Ireland are about to get heavier. We’ve seen a number of countries recently take drastic steps to lower gambling addiction rates. Sweden, for example, has banned virtually all forms of gambling marketing.
No one knows exactly what Ireland’s new gambling regulator plans to do. It’s very likely that we’ll see new gambling ad restrictions here. Limits on gambling machine spending are also likely to be set in place.
The Irish government may want to be wary of setting overly harsh restrictions. If gambling companies that operate here begin to see their revenue earnings fall, they may choose to leave the market. If players here are affected by the new laws, they may begin playing through websites unregulated by the government.
Do you think Ireland’s new gambling regulator will make things better? What steps should the government here take to stop gambling addiction? Let us know in the comment section below!
Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.Ireland’s Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has admitted the launch of the country’s new gambling regulator will be delayed until at least 2021.
The new regulator was one aspect of Ireland’s Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019, which was signed into law in December 2019 and also includes limits on gaming machine stakes and prizes. When the bill was being considered in May 2019, Minister of State David Stanton said the regulator should be in place within 18 months.
However, in a written response to a question from TD Pádraig O’Sullivan, McEntee said the Justice Department is working on its creation, but she would not bring forward proposals to establish the regulator until next year.
“The Programme for Government, gives a clear commitment to establish a gambling regulator focused on public safety and wellbeing, covering gambling online and in person, and the powers to regulate advertising, gambling websites and apps,” she said.
“Work is currently underway in my department on the development of the legislation to provide for the necessary modern licensing and regulatory provisions for the Irish gambling industry. I hope to bring proposals in that regard to the Government next year.”
McEntee said she wanted to make sure that the regulator was adequately equipped to deal with the gambling industry in Ireland.
“Given the size, complexity and technological development of the modern gambling industry and having regard to the current outdated and complex arrangements, it will be important that the regulator will be established on a strong footing and adequately resourced to carry out this important task,” McEntee said.