Ireland’s Gambling Regulation Bill was passed on the evening of 16 October by the lower house of the Irish parliament Dáil Éireann, after a final debate on the long-awaited bill was concluded.
The Gambling Regulation Bill was first introduced to Dáil Éireann on 2 December 2022, with the aim of establishing a gambling regulator and modernising regulations, including new methods to safeguard players and vulnerable groups. These include banning credit cards and restricting bonuses and advertising.
A national self-exclusion scheme and a social impact fund that will be supported by a mandatory levy are also to be brought in as part of the legislation.
During the 16 October parliamentary session Labour party deputy Brendan Howlin said he acknowledged the bill was not perfect, “but it is urgently needed because it deals with one of the most pressing social issues.”
The bill’s lead deputy James Browne said he expects the legislation to be enacted within the year. “That would certainly be the aim, [although] we can never be certain about these things,” he said.
However, the next Irish general election must be held no later than March 2025, which could impact the bill’s next stage.
Despite it being the final session before the bill heads to the president to be signed off into law, parliamentary members flagged various remaining concerns and requested last minute amendments.
One such amendment passed during the session provides the regulator with a legal basis to publish details of any contraventions of the licensing regime by licensees, as well as details of the sanctions imposed, to make stakeholders aware of those acting illegally in the market.
It also enables the regulator to seek court orders to block advertising by unlicensed and illegal operators.
“It is an important, effective regulatory tool used in other jurisdictions and one that will assure the public it is being protected while allowing the authority to send a message that it is regulating the industry,” Browne said.
Members are concerned gambling bill is being “rushed”
Some members expressed concern over the bill “being rushed”, considering the number of amendments being presented during this final stage.
“It is a very complicated bill and we are dealing with a very broad spectrum of amendments from the Seanad, many of which relate to issues that were touched upon here and are probably not strictly proper to be dealt with,” Howlin said.
On questions about the regulator, Browne assured members on the board must have experience in gambling and of the pathology of betting, including some with lived experience.
“In addition, in organising the public appointment system campaign to select members of the authority, the minister will have input into the selection criteria for members of the authority,” Browne said.
On advertising, the final bill prevents gambling licensees from marketing their brands or products online, but members flagged operators will find ways around this rule by offering freebies in exchange for customers signing up to a site or app so they can be directly marketed to.
Browne said he was satisfied licensees cannot advertise either the licensee or the activity, and that rule will cover most circumstances. He noted the regulator will have powers to enforce further regulations on marketing to restrict the types of advertising being provided.