Ireland passes landmark gambling bill

Ireland has passed a seminal bill that establishes a new framework for the gambling industry in the country, and effectively overhauls the existing regulatory regime.

In a statement on the Irish governmental website, Minister of State at the Department of Justice with responsibility for Law Reform, James Browne TD, welcomed the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022’s passage which took place on Wednesday, October 16.

Seminal gambling bill clears legislative hurdles in Ireland

The bill cleared both Houses of the Oireachtas and has led to the setup of the Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, or the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland.

This new law helps establish the governing rules for the industry both in land-based and online gambling, and it also sets up important initiatives, such as the Social Impact Fund designed to raise awareness for problematic gambling behaviors.

The bill also addresses the ongoing threat that is the black market which continues to target residents and undermine regulated operators. Commenting on the bill’s passage, Browne said:

"It provides for a new streamlined, simplified and coherent licensing framework - one that reflects the nature of gambling in modern society and addresses the proliferation of digital gambling activities and advertising in recent years."

He added that the bill balances the freedom to gamble with the safeguards necessary to protect young people.

Browne assured that his office has sought extensive counsel from representatives of the industry as well as independent specialists, as well as people working in the gambling harm prevention sector, and people who are advocating for stronger measures to help shield consumers from the ramifications of gambling disorders.

The bill leveraged extensive knowledge to ensure that the resulting legislation would have the desired effects. Along with the bill, the first CEO Designate of the Gambling Regulatory Authority has been appointed in the face of Anne Marie Caulfield.

Gambling regulations ready to enact the law

The first steps have been already outlined by Caulfield, who confirmed that the watchdog will initially focus on licensing at first.

"I am determined to ensure that licensees operate in accordance with the legislation while also fulfilling our mandate to establish safeguards to address problem gambling," she explained, adding that the regulator will work closely with stakeholders to ensure that the new gambling framework is rolled out smoothly and without a hitch.

The regulator will also receive €9.1m as part of its budget in 2025, with the body ready to carry out its responsibilities. With Ireland now launching an overhauled regulated gambling industry, the only unregulated market across Britain and Ireland will remain Northern Ireland.

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