Irish Dáil confirms new gambling authority for revamped market

A key week for Irish gambling sees the Dáil confirm that a new gambling regulatory authority will be formed, tasked with monitoring and regulating all components of Irish online and retail gambling/betting.

The new authority will act as an independent body reporting to Ireland’s Department of Justice, in which Its formation forms the key directive of a report submitted by the Inter-Departmental Working Group on the Future Licensing and Regulation of Gambling.

Supporting its directive of reforming Ireland’s gambling framework established under the mandates of ‘Gaming & Lotteries Act 1956’ and the ‘Betting Act of 1931’ – today the Fine Gael government allowed for the publication of its ‘Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill – 2019’.

In the bill’s mandate, a new regulatory authority is required to maintain national licensing procedures and to further develop comprehensive regulatory measures on consumer protections, advertising standards and industry safeguards.

Furthermore, the authority will monitor new licensed incumbent requirements on age restrictions, staff training, player self-exclusion and controls on advertising and marketing promotions.

Updating the media, Irish Minister of State David Stanton a key stakeholder in the development of the 2019 Bill stated

“A modern and effectively regulated gambling environment will ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that gambling will be a safe, fair and entertaining activity for the majority of those who choose to take part in it.

“We must ensure that it will provide enhanced consumer protection for players while limiting to the greatest extent possible the harmful effects on young people and those who may be susceptible to addiction.”