Ireland to establish independent gambling regulator
Government to amend Gambling Control Bill to reflect need to “protect consumers and vulnerable people”
The Irish government plans to establish an independent regulator to oversee the gambling industry, according to local news reports.
Minister of State for Equality, Immigration and Integration David Stanton plans to amend the country’s Gambling Control Bill which was drafted in 2013 but never approved according to thejournal.ie.
The original version of the bill called for the industry to be regulated by a department inside the Department of Justice, but the now-proposed independent regualtor would look more like the UK Gambling Commission.
The gambling industry in Ireland is largely self-regulating at present.
An Irish government spokesperson told The Journal the Gambling Bill needed updating to reflect recent changes in the gambling sector, with a focus on “protecting consumers and vulnerable people”.
While there is no specific timeframe for the legislation, Minister Stanton said gambling regulation was a priority this year.
The Irish Bookmakers Association, whose members include Paddy Power, Boylesports and Ladbrokes, is on the record as supporting more regulation.
Earlier this year Irish bookmakers escaped a proposed increase in taxes from 1% to 2% of turnover amid concerns the industry would not be able to shoulder the increased financial burden.