Last month, we discussed the Irish gambling bill, which is currently in its final stages before being passed into law. This legislation will establish the Irish Gambling Regulatory Authority, a governing body that will oversee and manage the country’s regulated betting market.
According to recent reports, the Irish Gambling Regulatory Authority is set to launch in mid-2025, which also indicates when we can expect to see the Irish gambling bill fully rolled out. Let’s find out more.
The Irish Gambling Bill
The Gambling Regulation Bill 2022, commonly referred to as the Irish gambling bill, has been in a state of limbo for some time, as politicians and policymakers thrash out the details of what will be a landmark piece of legislation.
However, after a long and drawn-out process, the bill is finally entering its final stages. The core purpose of the legislation is to overhaul the country’s current player protections and safeguarding measures. It will introduce a range of new rules and restrictions designed to reduce the rates of gambling-related harm and protect vulnerable players. These include a national self-exclusion scheme, a social impact fund and specific rules surrounding certain games, bonuses and payment methods.
The bill will also establish the Gambling Regulatory Authority, a body which will oversee the new regulations and ensure operators are adhering to new rules. Let’s look in more detail at the role of the Irish Gambling Regulatory Authority.
Overseeing Licences
Once passed, the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 will require all operators in the country to hold licences and will make it a criminal offence to operate without one. The primary role of the Irish Gambling Regulatory Authority will be to oversee these licences and ensure all operators in the country hold the correct certification.
Through the establishment of a new license framework, regulations in Ireland will be tightened. Operators must prepare for this and ensure they are operating within the confines of the laws once they come into effect.
Advertising Restrictions
The Irish Gambling Regulatory Authority will also be responsible for drawing up, overseeing and implementing new restrictions on gambling advertising. These adverts have come under heavy criticism in recent years and have been accused of failing to avoid targeting children and vulnerable players.
As a result, the overhaul of Irish gambling laws will include tighter regulations on advertising. While exact details of new advertising rules have yet to be published, they are expected to include restrictions on timing and placement. The Irish Gambling Regulatory Authority will be responsible for ensuring these new rules are followed and taking action if operators are found to be in breach.
The Final Steps
Ireland’s new Regulatory Authority is expected to be ready for launch by mid-2025. However, there are still a number of key leadership positions that must be filled before this can happen. Hiring processes are already underway for Chairperson and several key board roles. Only once this process has been completed can we expect to see the organisation begin the work of enforcing new regulations.
Conclusion
Any sort of regulatory change is big news, and the developing legislation in Ireland looks set to shake up the industry. Operators and players alike must be aware of what the new rules are before they come into force to ensure they can minimise any potential disruption.
