Irish Government Looking to New Bill that Addresses Online Gambling

It is a well known fact that Irish love to play casino games and to bet on sports. After Australia and Singapore, the country ranks third for the amounts the Irish wager per year on average.

In 2019, according to a study, the average adult in Ireland spent approximately €800 per year on gambling, with much of that figure spent on online gambling. Online gambling in Ireland is at its peak but the country’s regulations have become increasingly outdated and ill-equipped to address the nature of modern day gambling.

What makes people of Ireland gamble a lot?

The answer is money. Without money who can gamble.  Ireland is one of the wealthiest countries in the world in terms of GDP per capita. The country is a member of the United Nations and the European Union amongst other organizations.

Is gambling regulated in Ireland?

Gambling in Ireland is regulated since the issuing of the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1956. Although the act states that operating a land-based casino is unlawful, some loopholes allowed the operation of private clubs with casino-like facilities. Gambling was a grey area till the Gaming Control Bill of 2013, which made gambling completely legal.

The act established the Minister and Office for Gambling Control Ireland as the sole authority concerning licensing and regulations. Since then, there are many casinos throughout the country where players can enjoy the most popular casino games. Online gambling is legal since the Horses and Greyhound Act of 2001, which made it possible for Irish citizens to legally bet online at licensed gambling websites. Gambling operators have to acquire a license to organize online and offline gambling activities.

See also Guide to Irish Gambling Law for Gamblers

But previous gambling control bill has yet to be put into law

Moves were made in 2013 to better regulate gambling with the introduction of the Gambling Control Bill. That bill has yet to be passed into law however and in the last four years the gambling landscape has changed dramatically. Lawmakers have been only too aware that the country’s archaic gambling regulations are badly in need of a makeover, and there are signs emerging that progress is being made on this front.

At present, Ireland’s gamblers are governed by two primary laws, the Betting Act of 1931 and the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1956. Suffice to say that neither of these addresses online casinos.

Talk of updating the country’s gambling regulations has been ongoing for over a decade but there’s been little progress to report save for the Gambling Control Bill 2013. If the delayed bill finally passes into law, it will introduce a distinction between land-based and online gambling and will introduce a new, streamlined licensing process.

See also Are Gambling Winnings Taxable in Ireland?

The Betting (Amendment) Bill of 2020

The Betting (Amendment) Bill of 2020 is a piece of legislation proposed by the Irish government to regulate the online gambling industry. The purpose of the bill is to tackle the difficulties arising from the swift expansion of online gambling and guarantee the industry operates in a manner that is responsible and sustainable.

The bill comprises of significant provisions aimed at safeguarding consumers, which include age verification mandates, limitations on advertising, and heightened transparency and operator accountability. Additionally, the bill endeavors to make certain that the gambling sector is taxed appropriately and to thwart gambling-related harm. In essence, the Betting (Amendment) Bill of 2020 embodies the Irish government’s dedication to preserving the interests of consumers while ensuring that the online gambling industry operates responsibly and sustainably

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