In response to a pre-legislative scrutiny report concerning the Government’s General Scheme of the Gambling Regulation Bill, EGBA published a statement welcoming the development and calling it “an important milestone” in Ireland’s efforts to establish a more robust and modern regulatory framework.

Ireland is currently one of only two EU member states lacking specific regulations regarding online gambling. The General Scheme sets out plans for “a gambling regulator focused on public safety and well-being, covering gambling online and in-person, and the powers to regulate advertising, gambling websites and apps.”

In this regard, EGBA welcomed both the Scheme and the report, compiled by the Irish Parliament’s Justice Committee.

It largely agreed with the Committee’s recommendations, including that any future regulator should publish market data and that regulator-established codes of conduct should apply to all operators.

“We thank the Committee for its report and willingness to gather and consider stakeholder input during its deliberations,” remarked Maarten Haijer, EGBA Secretary General.

“A collaborative approach is crucially important because it is in the interests of all stakeholders for Ireland to have a well-regulated gambling market.”

However, Haijer also urged Irish lawmakers to look to other EU member states for guidance. He said: “But there is also no need to completely reinvent the wheel; most EU member states already have well-established gambling regulations, and we encourage the Irish authorities to look to these for best practices.”

The Committee’s report will now be sent to James Browne, Ireland’s Minister of State for Justice, for his consideration, with a finalised bill expected later this year.