The Republic of Ireland will overhaul its near-century-old gambling laws, as the Oireachtas has approved the Gambling Regulation Bill (GRB) to be signed into law by President Michael D. Higgins.
The GRB underwent a decade of development and a two-year deliberation by the Houses of the Oireachtas, following its authorisation as a joint bill of Ireland’s Tri-coalition government.
The government will adopt a modern regulatory framework to govern and license gambling activities in Ireland, replacing the laws of the Betting Act of 1931.
The GRB establishes the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), an independent statutory body responsible for overseeing the rules, standards, and conduct of Irish gambling.
Licensing requirements state that all persons or business entities offering gambling services in Ireland, including commercial and charitable organisations, must obtain a licence from the GRAI.
As part of Budget 2025, announced on 1st October, the GRAI will receive €9.1 million in 2025, including €4 million for ICT capital investment.
The GRAI will be led by Anne Marie Caulfield, who stated: “As CEO designate of the new Authority, I am determined to ensure that licensees operate in accordance with the legislation while also fulfilling our mandate to establish safeguards to address problem gambling.
“The GRAI is committed to engaging with stakeholders as we establish this new regulatory regime for Ireland’s gambling and gaming sector.”
Further protections will see the GRB establish a National Gambling Exclusion Register to protect vulnerable individuals from engaging in gambling activities.
The treatment of gambling harms and addiction will be overseen by the creation of a Social Impact Fund to treat gambling addiction and minimise problem gambling harms funded by mandatory contributions of licensed operators.
Strict rules on gambling advertisements will be introduced to minimise exposure to gambling content, including the application of a 9pm watershed, ensuring that gambling advertisements cannot be broadcast to the public before that time.
The bill introduces measures to combat unlawful gambling activities, with provisions for strict penalties, including the possibility of imprisonment. Penalty provisions will allow the GRAI to impose fines of up to €20 million or 10% of annual turnover for infringements of GRB laws.
The approval of the GRB into law will see Ireland adopt a new public health measure to protect individuals, particularly young and vulnerable people, from gambling harms.
Overseeing the GRB’s passage into law, Justice Minister and Deputy James Browne added: “I am conscious that many people have strong views on the issue of gambling, and I believe that this Bill is designed to meet the challenges of gambling responsibly in 21st century Ireland. The Bill takes a responsible approach to balancing the freedom to gamble with safeguards to protect people from falling prey to addiction. This Bill provides a clear framework for operators and consumers.
I congratulate Ms. Caulfield for her ongoing preparatory work, which ran in parallel with the passage of the Gambling Regulation Bill.”
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