Gambling laws: How will new rules for bookies, casinos and online work?
The new Gambling Regulation Bill is a major reform of gambling laws. It updates the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 and the Betting Act 1931.
The betting industry was self-regulated. It has changed over the past two decades. Online betting, poker and roulette, instant payment and real time betting are some of the developments. The gambling industry is worth up to €8 billion per year.
The Bill is designed to protect consumers, problem gamblers, and children. It is an effort to define gambling across all platforms.
A seven-member Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland is being established to regulate the industry. Its chief executive, Anne Marie Caulfied, has already been appointed. It will license all companies and bodies that offer gambling products, physically and online.
Regulator will have the right to apply to the court to compel the Irish Internet Service Provider to block the online site in Ireland.
There will be substantial administrative penalties for companies that breach the law. In extremis, there will also be prison sentences of up to eight years for serious breaches.
There are many new restrictions in the Bill for bookies, casinos and online gambling. Social media advertising is prohibited. Sponsorship of clubs by betting companies will be prohibited if the club has juvenile members. Children will not be allowed on gambling premises. There's a “watershed” ban on TV and internet advertising between 5.30am and 9pm. Credit card betting will also not exist.
A Social Impact Fund will be established that will use the money raised by a levy on the industry to fight problem gambling. Charitable and voluntary organisations will not be subject to the levy. There is also a new national exclusion register.
The Minister says the National Lottery will not be subject to the new gambling laws. Some betting companies called for the Lotteries to be included in the law.
The same rules apply to TV sport from the UK broadcast here as terrestrial TV. There will be a watershed ban between 5.30 am and 9 pm. Ads after 9pm cannot offer inducements such as free bets or free credit.
James Browne admits that the legislation's scope and reach is not unlimited. The new regulatory authority will have its work cut out. Streaming services and broadcasting apps are popular with Irish football fans for watching UK soccer. Some of them get sponsorship from betting companies and carry advertising from them.
New gambling laws apply to bookies, casinos and online. TV channels will not be allowed to show an Irish soccer or rugby game involving a team sponsored by a betting company. Sponsorship branding will still be permitted on soccer kits. Regulator will have the power to review and change the conditions if signage or hoardings at the event are used to carry advertising.
