Irish government could delay gambling regulator launch until 2021
Justice minister cites need to sweep away “outdated and complex” current regulations as Covid-19 and Brexit impact regulatory timetable
The formation of Ireland’s newest gambling regulator could be delayed until at least 2021 after the country’s government blamed logistical demands for the belated launch.
Responding to a written question regarding the new regulator, Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee confirmed the government had made a “clear commitment” to establishing the new entity, but admitted work still needed to be done.
“Work is currently underway in my department on the development of the legislation to provide for the necessary modern licensing and regulatory provisions for the Irish gambling industry,” said McEntee. “I hope to bring proposals in that regard to government next year.
“Given the size, complexity and technological development of the modern gambling industry and having regard to the current outdated and complex arrangements, it will be important that the regulator will be established on a strong footing and adequately resourced to carry out this important task,” she added.
McEntee was one of several new ministers appointed to the 33rd Dáil in February following the Irish general election and the creation of a new tri-partite government coalition.
The creation of a new Irish gambling regulator has been in the works for the past two years but has been plagued by delays following publication of the Inter-Departmental Working Group on the Future Licensing and Regulation of Gambling in Ireland report in March 2019.
Joe Kelly, partner at Irish law firm A&L Goodbody, said the firm had been advising its operator clients that a delay was to be expected.
His sentiments were echoed by McCann Fitzgerald partner Alan Heuston, who called for an “extensive” piece of legislation to be created to govern the new regulator.
“The Taoiseach’s previous estimate of 18 months is probably at the low end of the time it will take to draft the legislation that is required to get a new regulatory body of the size and scale required to regulate an industry of this nature up and operating,” he explained.
“We should also note that issues like Brexit and Covid are going to have impacted on the timelines. Brexit will obviously have a particular impact on the focus of the Department of Justice, which will be responsible for gambling regulation,” Heuston added.
The new Irish gambling regulator will focus on the public safety and wellbeing of Irish citizens and will have responsibility for both online and offline gambling, as well as regulating gambling ads.