General News / October 18, 2024

Ireland Is Getting Strict New Gambling Laws

General News / October 18, 2024

Ireland Is Getting Strict New Gambling Laws

Text: Izzy Copestake

Experts see the new measures as crucial for addressing the “silent addiction” of gambling in Ireland.

Ireland is introducing tough new gambling laws, the first of their kind in the country. Last night, the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 was finally passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas, after years of advocacy, delays, and reworking.

So, what exactly will the bill change? The measures will create a watchdog agency, prohibit the use of credit cards for gambling, ban advertisements during daytime hours, and enforce strict new regulations on gaming companies.

The new watchdog agency, called the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), will oversee the enforcement of these regulations. It has the power to issue and revoke licences for gambling companies, impose advertising restrictions, implement measures for player protection and addiction prevention, and regulate gambling activities both in-person and online.

The advertising rules around gambling will now be much stricter. All advertisements for gambling will be banned until after 9pm, and every advert must carry a warning statement about the risks of excessive gambling. Companies that break these rules will be subject to fines, or even have their licences revoked.

The Gambling Regulatory Authority will also manage the Social Impact Fund, which will finance research, rehabilitation, educational initiatives, and therapy programmes aimed at addressing the social, mental, and financial harms of excessive gambling.

The bill introduces much stronger measures around exclusions for players seeking help. Previously, individuals with gambling problems had to contact companies directly to be excluded, and many reported that gambling companies still contacted them. Under the new rules, the Gambling Regulatory Authority will track those requesting exclusion, and companies are banned from contacting them during that time. This system simplifies the process of player exclusion and makes it easier for therapists and care centres to block access for clients.

The law now bans the use of credit cards for any form of gambling. For years, experts have warned against the risks of credit card use in gambling, particularly online. Using a credit card for gambling can often lead people to bet money they don’t have, pushing them to gamble more in an effort to repay their debts.

Tighter laws around age limits have also been introduced. Companies are now legally required to gather personal information from users to verify that the account holder is at least 18 years old.

Just last year, reports revealed that gambling problems in Ireland had worsened dramatically, with one in 30 people in the country reported to have a gambling addiction. This was ten times higher than what was found in 2019. It is hoped that the new laws will tackle the problem, empower individuals seeking help, and enhance the country’s understanding of problem gambling.

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