Earlier this week, Ireland has brought its new interim Gaming and Lotteries act into effect ahead of the massive regulatory reform of the local gambling sector.
The Gambling and Lotteries (Amendment) Act 2019 came into effect on December 1st and is focused on making the promotion of land-based gambling services more up to date. The new piece of legislation is amending Ireland’s Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956-2013. It is set to focus on streamlining the application process for gambling and lottery licences and the process for gaming and lottery services of a smaller scale.
Another major aspect of the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act is protecting underage individuals by setting a standard minimum age for participating in gambling services at 18 years of age. The piece of legislation is further aimed at bolstering customer protection in the country, bringing some updates to gaming machines’ stake and prize limits, and also boosting the proceeds brought by Irish lotteries to good causes.
Local lawmakers also made sure the new 2019 Act includes larger penalties for breaching the gambling legislations’ provisions.
It is important to say that the Amendment Act is not here to stay because it only provides temporary measures ahead of a more thorough overhaul of the Irish gambling legislation. According to preliminary expectations, permanent chances are set to come into force sometime in 2021.
The Amendment Act 2019 Imposes Temporary Regulatory Measures before Larger Gambling Industry Overhaul
The Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act 2019 has been described by the Government as an interim reform measure implemented at a time when the comprehensive reform of the country’s gambling industry is being expected.
The gambling licences and permits that were issued under the provisions of Ireland’s Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 are set to remain in force until their following renewal date. In case that date is after December 1st, 2020, the new provisions regarding the licensing process are set to apply.
As it became clear at the time when the implementation of the Amendment Act was announced, €200,000 seed funding for the new gambling regulatory body of the local gambling sector was secured as part of the justice allocation in the following year’s budget.
James Browne, T.D., who is the Minister of State entitled with special responsibility for gambling regulation in Ireland, reminded that the gambling industry is not only a large but also a quickly evolving sector. That is exactly why it must become subject to a suitable upgrade as a result of an effective and modern licensing and regulatory approach. Mr Browne further noted that the new piece of legislation is set to assist the better promotion of the Irish gaming and lottery sector.
The gaming and lottery activities have primarily been held to support good causes such as various philanthropic and charitable purposes. So far this year, many of the organisations, clubs and companies offering such services have suffered a strong blow by the coronavirus pandemic but despite that, they have been planning some special draws and raffles for the end of the year. The Minister promised that the newly-implemented changes would not have a negative impact on such organisations’ efforts.
- Author
Daniel Williams
