Ireland’s long-anticipated legislation to regulate its gambling industry is set to enter its final stages in the national parliament, the Dáil, today (16 October).
The Gambling Regulation Bill has been more than a decade in the making and is seen as a critical reform aimed at protecting consumers, while bringing Irish regulations up to international standards.
Unlike the UK, which has had a gambling regulator for almost 20 years, Ireland has so far lacked a central authority to oversee the industry.
The new bill seeks to change that by establishing the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), which will have broad powers to enforce compliance, regulate advertising, and impose penalties on companies that violate the law.
Offenders could face fines of up to €20m or 10% of their turnover.
The bill is one of the key pieces of legislation the Irish government is aiming to pass before the next general election, which must take place by March 2025.
Controversy over free bets
As the bill progressed, Irish lawmakers engaged in several heated debates. One of the most contentious recent issues focused on the regulation of free bets.
In a last minute move, Minister of State at the Department of Justice, James Browne (pictured), introduced a key amendment to strengthen the powers of the GRAI.
The new powers would give the regulator authority to impose further restrictions on such promotions.
Browne had faced scrutiny in recent weeks over an amendment to the legislation that would allow free bets to be offered by gambling companies to the public in general, but ban them from being targeted at any specific group.
This was are seen by many as a risky incentive that could encourage gambling addicts to relapse.
Flutter lobbying
Flutter Entertainment had previously raised concerns about specific aspects of the bill, particularly the restrictions on free bets and the proposed caps on stakes and winnings.
Records show that the company, which is headquartered in Dublin, actively lobbied Irish lawmakers, warning that some of the proposed measures could have unintended consequences.
Flutter UK and Ireland CEO Ian Brown argued that a blanket ban on free bets and strict limits on betting stakes could drive Irish consumers to unregulated offshore gambling operators, which often lack proper customer protections.
He cited similar issues in other European countries, such as Italy and France, where unlicensed gambling accounts for a significant share of the market.
Brown also expressed concern over the bill’s potential impact on Ireland’s horse racing industry.
He argued that the proposed advertising restrictions could deter broadcasters from airing popular events like the Cheltenham Festival, out of fear they might unintentionally promote gambling.