The Irish Senate has opened discussion regarding the launch of a new Irish gambling regulator following the passing of Ireland’s Interim Gaming and Lotteries Act in December of 2020. The legislation requires the government to overhaul existing gambling laws which date back to 1931 and 1956.
One of the main priorities of the overhaul is the establishment of a new gambling regulator, a process that was originally scheduled for completion in 2021. However, as a result of the global pandemic, priorities within Ireland’s government have shifted somewhat and the launch date has been pushed back to 2023.
Despite the delayed launch, senators are eager to set the ball rolling and have begun the process of debating the proposed regulator’s responsibilities with regards to the industry itself and the issue of problem gambling.
Speaking during the debate, Senator Alice-Mary Higgins, an Independent for Dublin, said that the new regulator was needed as soon as possible. She told the senate:
“Lack of regulation means we are getting all-hours and all-locations advertising, which is a concern. We know we can take action to address this, as we did when we placed constraints in legislation on the advertising and sale of alcohol.”
Fiona O’Loughlin, a Fianna Fáil senator for Kildare, spoke of the need for the regulator to address issues such as problem gambling which has become a concern since the country was placed in several lockdowns.
“The regulator should cover the industry, issue fines, conduct research and operate a social fund funded by the industry to help individuals who are suffering from gambling addiction. A modern and effectively regulated gambling environment must provide enhanced consumer protection for players while limiting to the greatest extent possible the harmful effects on young people and those who may be susceptible to addiction.”
James Browne, minister of state in the Department of Justice, agreed with the need for a gambling regulator as soon as possible saying that currently, the country had an “inconsistent regulatory environment” as regulation was not managed by a single authority but instead by multiple agencies.
Speaking to the Senate, Browne said:
“The new regulator will, when fully operational, assume all of the current gambling licensing and regulatory responsibilities as well as new and more extensive enforcement duties. When it is established, the regulator will have the necessary enforcement powers for licensing and powers to take action where individuals or operators fail to follow rules and regulations.
Its key objectives will be as follows: to prevent gambling from being a source or support to crime; to ensure that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way for companies to make decisions in certainty; and to require the promotion of safe and responsible gambling, and to combat problem gambling.”
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