The new gambling legislation in Ireland that has been recently approved by the country’s Government will not allow gambling adverts before a 9:00 PM watershed.
The Gambling Regulation Bill, which has been presented to the Department of Justice by James Browne, the Minister of State, is aimed at providing a more up-to-date and improved approach to the licensing and regulation of the Irish gambling industry. The piece of legislation will recognise the variety of gambling services and activities in the country, as well as the impact of technology on the local gambling sector.
As Casino Guardian previously reported, the new gambling bill also seeks to impose stricter rules for gambling advertising. Under the provisions of the piece of legislation, a watershed prohibiting gambling advertising, including online adverts, in the period from 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM is set to be officially introduced.
The new Gambling Regulation Bill will also suspend automated teller machines (ATMs) from bookmakers’ shops across the country in an attempt to minimise the potential financial losses of Irish customers. Under the new rules, a statutory body to regulate the sector is set to be established for the first time ever in the country. The watchdog, called Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), will regulate both in-person and digital gambling services. It will also be empowered to regulate advertising within the sector.
Irish Government Willing to Protect Local Gamblers with the Establishment of New Gambling Regulatory Body
At the time when a press conference took place on November 15th, Taoiseach Micheál Martin shared that the new Gambling Regulation Bill would establish a series of safeguards aimed at protecting people from being affected by gambling addiction. Of course, there is a large number of people who enjoy gambling and betting as part of their social lives, but there are also ones who find it hard to control their gambling habits and end up suffering from gambling-related harm.
When it comes to the new gambling regulatory authority, the GRA is expected to become operational in 2023.
As previously reported, the regulator will have the power to respond to ongoing and future developments in the gambling industry of Ireland in order to make the sector more up-to-date and ensure customers are kept safe.
Under the new law, gambling advertising materials that are intended to appeal to children, and advertising that promotes excessive gambling, are set to be banned. As mentioned above, a watershed suspending gambling adverts from 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM is set to be introduced. Local lawmakers have been concerned about the ongoing proliferation of adverts targeting younger audiences on social media, so such advertising is set to be banned by default.
Online gambling advertising is also set to be made visible on an opt-in basis. Irish customers will be asked to tick a box asking whether they are willing to receive gambling companies’ ads. Gambling sponsorship deals for sports clubs will not be allowed in case the club has underage members.
Minister Browne noted that a total ban on gambling adverts had been considered but was eventually found disproportionate. After all, gambling is a legal activity in Ireland, and although there have been some concerns, it has been carried out by many locals in a safe and risk-free manner. This is why the Government’s main objective is to make sure that vulnerable customers are protected against possible negative consequences and underage individuals are also protected against gambling harm.
- Author
Daniel Williams
