Impending Regulation of Casinos in Ireland

Although it has been a long time coming, new regulations are taking shape in Ireland that will radically change the gambling industry in the island nation. The impetus for the new legislation is the dramatic increase in gambling addiction among high-risk citizens, especially children.

Current gambling laws dating back to the 1930s are outdated and argued by some lawmakers as incoherent and sorely in need of modernization. The new reforms will regulate land-based and online betting.

Consumer groups applied the pending changes claiming that the harmful effects of the gambling industry warrant severe and sweeping intervention by government authorities.

Gambling Regulator

A significant portion of the proposed changes includes establishing a singular regulatory authority that will be granted broad powers to set rules, license establishments and enforce guidelines created by the authority through fines, revocation of licenses, blocking Internet access, and criminal prosecution.

The regulator’s ability to block online access to a provider service from within the country, freeze an operator’s bank accounts, seize assets, and intercept payments are considered much needed regulatory powers to add teeth to the new law.

The regulator’s power will extend across all media forms, subjecting them to its enforcement authority. Gambling operators violating established guidelines are subject to fines up to €20m ($23.2m) or 10% of their turnover.

Banning Free Bets

Free bets have long played a key role in attracting new players to online betting sites. The practice of offering free betting opportunities has been directly and indirectly linked with the rise in gambling addiction among underage children.

Players who cannot control their gambling impulses gravitate toward sites that allow them to play for free, which only entices them to engage in harmful financial transactions once they are hooked.

Restricted Advertising

New regulations outlined in the legislation will restrict the hours and frequency in which ads can appear on television, radio and other social media outlets that promote gambling.

A total clampdown will also be imposed on advertising five minutes before a live sports broadcast until five minutes after the event for all sporting events that occur before 9 PM.

Furthermore, there will be a complete ban on the appearance of children or any element that might seem appealing to underage children in all advertisements that promote gambling.

No Credit Cards or Loans

Gambling operators will be prohibited from offering credit or loans to players to induce them to place bets. Also, using credit cards as a form of payment for betting purposes is banned. While many online slots already ban credit cards (as they followed the lead of the UK), there are many that also accept them so this is sure to be a big change.

It doesn’t matter if bets are placed online or in a land-based gambling hall; using credit cards will not be allowed.

Other Provisions

In an effort to combat gambling addiction and problem gambling, legislation will be enacted to make provisions for a self-exclusion register so players can voluntarily prohibit themselves from being allowed to gamble for a specified number of months. The requirement’s purpose is to enable people to seek treatment and help for any gambling problems they recognize.

New authority will be granted to a gambling regulator, giving them the power to conduct audits or test provider systems without notifying them in advance. Providers found to violate established rules will face sanctions and possible criminal liability.

Conclusion

In conjunction with the new rules and regulations, a social impact fund will be set up and funded through taxes on casino operators to create treatment programs for gambling addiction and produce public service broadcasts to elevate awareness of the harmful effects of gambling.

Even though sweeping legislative reforms have been delayed, blocked, and lobbied against, it’s evident that new legislation will soon be passed, and a new regulatory body will be created for the ongoing policing of the gambling industry.