The Irish government has given the green light to a new gambling law that will introduce a number of changes to the way gambling is controlled.
The new legislation, spearheaded by the Minister of State for Law Reform, will set up a new system for licensing and regulating the gambling industry. A new official body will be set up to act as the country’s gambling watchdog.
At present, gambling is overseen by a fragmented system that involves various government departments, including the Department of Justice and Equality, the Revenue Commissioners of the Irish Tax Authority and the District Courts.
The new body will have extensive powers to control advertising and gambling, grant licenses to businesses and impose penalties and fines.
“The Cabinet’s approval is a significant step and the publication of the bill is undoubtedly a major landmark. This is vital and necessary legislation to address the challenges of responsible gambling in modern Ireland,” said the Taoiseach.
The Emerald Isle is enacting a fresh gambling regulation! This new legislation aims to safeguard individuals from the perils of gambling dependence while simultaneously permitting individuals to engage in wagering activities without constraint. It will clarify matters for both wagering enterprises and individuals who participate in gambling.
This new regulation will establish three distinct categories of licenses: one for entities that directly offer gambling services to consumers, another for companies that furnish services to other gambling firms, and a third for charitable organizations that provide gambling opportunities.
The Minister of Justice, Helen McEntee, proclaimed that this new law represents a significant stride forward in shielding individuals from gambling issues, particularly minors. She further stated that the new legislation will empower the government to exert greater control over the gambling sector.
McEntee cautioned that gambling companies that persist in operating unlawfully will confront severe legal repercussions.
If a betting firm is discovered operating without authorization from the authorities or violating the conditions of their permit, they could face imprisonment for up to eight years and/or financial penalties, depending on the judge’s ruling.”
“New regulations are being introduced that will modify how gambling is promoted. There will be a significant reduction in advertisements, and they cannot be displayed on television between 5:30 am and 9:00 pm. They are also prohibited from offering complimentary wagers or special promotions.”
“The government intends to enforce stringent measures regarding gambling promotions. Advertisements that attempt to entice minors into gambling are forbidden, as are those that encourage excessive betting. Due to the prevalence of gambling advertisements on social media, they will be prohibited by default.”
“These new regulations are also designed to assist individuals struggling with gambling addiction. A registry will be established for individuals seeking to abstain from gambling, and they will be barred from using credit cards for betting purposes. The government also has the authority to prevent companies from distributing free incentives to encourage gambling.”
“The government will also establish a dedicated fund to support individuals impacted by gambling. Betting companies will contribute financially to this fund.”
Funds will be allocated to aid individuals struggling with gambling addiction and to educate the public about the perils of gambling.
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