The Irish Government continues to move forward with the completion of the long-awaited gambling reform with the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) – an independent body to monitor and regulate the local gambling sector – currently underway.
Of course, the watchdog that was established in accordance with the country’s new Gambling Regulatory Act would need someone to control the regulatory body operation, so the GRA has started accepting leadership applications. The window for all candidates to lead the Regulatory Authority is now open but applicants should be aware of the fact that the one who takes the lead would have to be ready to do a lot of work because the regulatory framework of Ireland is set to be put together almost from the very beginning.
According to previous comments of Junior Justice Minister James Browne, the one who is appointed to head the GRA will essentially act as a CEO overseeing around 100 staff members. As explained by the Junior Justice Minister, the expert staff employed at Ireland’s Gambling Regulatory Authority would be considered not much of civil servants rather than public servants.
Currently, Mr Browne is monitoring the implementation of tougher laws and the Gambling Regulatory Act. He remains hopeful that the GRA head would be appointed at the position within the next few months.
Independent Gambling Regulator Established as Irish Government’s Gambling Laws Overhaul
As previously revealed, the new independent regulatory authority is being established as part of the Irish Government’s efforts to make the country’s gambling laws and regulations more up-to-date in order to meet the needs of the contemporary gambling sector. As part of the overhaul, the Gambling Regulatory Authority will regulate gaming, gambling and lottery services offered by both commercial and non-commercial companies. The watchdog will also regulate these operators’ advertising, in order to be fully compliant with the provisions of the GRA.
So far, Ireland has channelled funding that is worth from €8 million to €12 million, which will become available for the first few years of operation of the new gambling regulator and the fresh legislative and regulatory framework. After that, the Gambling Regulatory Authority will have to be ready to provide self-funding through industry participation, including monetary fines that could be imposed by the watchdog on local gambling operators.
According to Mr Browne, the new gambling regulatory body will be able to do its job and keep the gambling industry of Ireland in line with the new gambling laws. The agency will be given enforcement power over the gambling operating licences in the country and will have the right to take action against gambling licence holders should they breach the rules.
Since the beginning of the review of the existing gambling laws and the legislative process to create the new Gambling Regulatory Act, market experts have noted that the establishment of a separate Irish gaming regulator will help improve the country’s gambling sector and offer the local customers the protection they need against the negative consequences that could be faced as a result of excessive and uncontrollable gambling.
Industry analysts have pointed to a recent study, according to which there are approximately 12,000 adult problem gamblers in Ireland. Some of them, however, have reminded that a large number of cases have been left untreated, so the actual number of gambling addicts in the country is probably a lot bigger.
- Author
Daniel Williams
