New Irish Gambling Bill Garners Industry Praise

It is always fantastic news when a popular online gambling region takes the steps necessary to facilitate the growth and moderation of the industry. Earlier this month, Ireland presented its new Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 (Bill 114 of 2022) to the House. The General Principles of the Bill have been debated, and it is currently in the committee stage, where it will be dissected and have various amendments proposed.

 New Irish Regulator Will Brook No Nonsense

The Irish are not known for their passivity, choosing to be forthright instead. In discussing the role of the country’s soon to be established Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann (Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland) the Minister of State for Law Reform, James Browne, made it clear that the Authority would be active and ruthless.

“Reforming gambling legislation and regulation in Ireland is a key commitment in our Programme for Government and Justice Plan and has been one of my key priorities as Minister. I am pleased to have gotten the draft legislation to this point and look forward now to it being published and brought through the Houses to enactment.”

He promised the regulator would focus on responsible gambling and preventing gambling harm.

“This legislation will establish a gambling regulator which will be robust with a focus on prevention of harm to people vulnerable to problem gambling and particularly protecting children, and also a focus on enforcement of a strong, modern regulatory framework for the gambling industry.”

He then added that they would not fall foul of the over-advertising problem faced by several European gambling jurisdictions, nor would it have any patience with operators attempting to bypass its new gambling legislation by operating without a license.

 The EGBA Sings Its Praises

As the trade association representing most of the EU’s licensed and regulated online gambling operators, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has a particular interest in the development of Bill 114.

When commenting on the Bill, Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of the EGBA, said:

“Today is a significant milestone, and we congratulate Minister Browne and his team for bringing forward the Bill. EGBA fully supports the Irish government’s ongoing efforts to establish modern regulations that fit the digital age and bring the country’s regulatory framework into line with EU member states.”

The EGBA is also far from a yes-man proving to be an outspoken opponent of poor jurisdictional management and draconian decision-making across the board. The association has also been known to throw its full support behind actions that are good for the industry.

Commenting on the future of the bill, he added:

“We look forward to the finalisation of the Bill and engaging constructively with Irish policymakers to ensure the outcome is a well-functioning system of regulation that protects the interests of the many Irish citizens who gamble safely and recreationally.”

With such a positive review of the Bill in its unfinished state, we can only surmise that what Haijer and his compatriots uncovered when delving into the legalese of the bill truly impressed them.