Today, the Irish Government is meeting to approve the publication of the country’s Gambling Regulation Bill.
According to reports, the new piece of legislation, which has been led by the Minister of State James Browne in the local Department of Justice, is aimed at providing a more contemporary approach to Ireland’s gambling licensing and gambling regulation procedures. The bill is also known as the piece of legislation that aims at the establishment of the country’s gambling regulatory body, which will oversee gambling websites and mobile gambling apps, gambling advertising, and the overall regulation of the local gambling sector in general.
Under the provisions of the new law, a more improved and up-to-date licensing and regulatory approach similar to the one adopted by many other countries is set to be rolled out.
Apart from that, the new law is set to recognise the variety of gambling activities available in Ireland and the impact that technology has on the local gambling industry. As mentioned above, the legislation is also set to establish the country’s Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) for the first time, with the regulator set to focus on public safety and well-being, and will regulate both brick-and-mortar and online gambling services.
Establishment of Gambling Regulatory Authority Is an Important Step for Ireland’s Gambling Industry
As Casino Guardian reported, in September, Minister of State James Browne officially announced that Anne Marie Caulfield was appointed as the new CEO of Ireland’s Gambling Regulatory Authority.
At the time, he explained that the appointment of a CEO of the regulator was an important step in ensuring better regulation of the country’s gambling sector. The Irish Minister of State noted that the appointment of the GRA boss along with the drafting and passage of the aforementioned piece of legislation will make sure that the authority can put the beginning to proper gambling regulation in the country and this trend will continue in the years to come.
According to Mr Browne, the establishment and work done by such a body is an incredibly important piece of work, especially when it comes to social perspective. He believes that the implementation of enhanced regulation will really make a difference in preventing gambling-related harm and, at the same time, will make sure that modern and effective regulatory and licensing procedures are put in place for the Irish gambling industry.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority is set to start operation as soon as possible after the Irish Government enacts the draft Gambling Regulation Bill. The Regulator is expected to become operational next year.
Campaigners have long insisted that the gambling industry in Ireland cannot be allowed to self-regulate, and have called for the Government to introduce proper legislation in order to make sure the sector is being regulated. However, it took the Irish lawmakers years to get to the point of no return and realise that the implementation of new gambling regulation is a matter of paramount importance.
- Author
Daniel Williams
