Key points:
- Gambling Regulation Bill passed in Ireland, soon to be signed into law
- Changes include prohibitions on advertising, a ban on inducements, among others
- Operator’s concerns include impact on horseracing and rise of black market
Flutter Entertainment has offered its response to the Gambling Regulation Bill in Ireland, which was finally passed this week.
The bill was first introduced in late 2022 in the Dáil Éireann and has now been passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas, paving the way for the first major change in gambling legislation in Ireland since 1956.
The new bill establishes Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, and brings in measures related to areas like advertising, the black market, inducements, etc., while a Social Impact Fund will be created, and the National Gambling Exclusion Register will be established.
In the weeks and months leading up to this week’s milestone, there had been concerns raised within the industry over parts of the bill, with the Irish Bookmakers Association (IBA) speaking to Gambling Insider back in May about some “unintended consequences” about the draft of the bill at the time.
Concerns have also been raised in the wider industry surrounding areas such as stake and win limits, advertising restrictions, battling the black market and restrictions on inducements, with some pointing to how this has impacted other countries and the impact it could have on Ireland.
In response to the passing of the bill, a spokesperson for Flutter UKI said: “As a vocal advocate for regulation in Ireland for more than a decade, we welcome the new Gambling Regulation Bill but remain concerned about a number of unintended consequences.
“While we support much of what is contained within the new legislation, we believe the way it has been written could have an impact on the future of horse racing in Ireland and drive more players into the open arms of the unlicensed and unregulated black market.
“However, we look forward to working closely with the new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland to help raise standards across the industry.”
