The Irish gambling industry is about to undergo a transformation, with the long-awaited "Gambling Regulation Act" set to be enacted after a lengthy legislative process. The bill has been passed by both houses of the Irish parliament and is expected to be signed into law by President Michael D. Higgins.
The bill was first introduced in the Irish House of Representatives in December 2022 and completed the legislative process in May 2024, covering all aspects of gambling regulation. It took 11 years to draft the bill, aiming to bring Irish gambling laws up to modern standards.
After being submitted to the Senate on May 14, the bill quickly passed the necessary stages and completed the report stage on October 8. This rapid progress is attributed to the upcoming general election, with the current government eager to finalize the remaining legislative priorities.
A key element of the bill is the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), which will oversee a new licensing framework for both on-site and online gambling.
This independent statutory body is designed to enhance consumer protection and ensure compliance with new regulations. It will have the authority to enforce new rules and impose fines of up to 20 million euros ($21.75 million) or 10% of a company's turnover on violators.
James Brown, Minister of State at the Department of Justice, expressed satisfaction with the passage of the bill, stating: "I am delighted to welcome the passage of this long-awaited bill, which is the result of many years of hard work by myself and a dedicated team of department officials."
He emphasized that the legislation is primarily a public health measure aimed at protecting citizens from gambling-related harms, especially young people and vulnerable groups.
The bill introduces a watershed for daytime gambling advertisements, which has raised concerns among entities like Racing TV, claiming it could threaten their operational viability in Ireland.
Racing TV's parent company expressed concerns that the proposed advertising restrictions would make broadcasting economically unfeasible. In contrast, Sky Sports Racing has already adapted to the upcoming advertising regulations, creating separate programming for Irish viewers.
The bill includes several provisions, such as prohibiting gambling companies from offering incentives and establishing a social impact fund, which will be funded annually by gambling companies based on their turnover. GRAI is expected to receive a budget allocation of 9.1 million euros ($9.87 million) in 2025 to facilitate its operations.
With the legislative process concluded, GRAI will be responsible for enforcing the new rules, including curbing illegal gambling activities and addressing Ireland's growing gambling problem. The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has highlighted the severity of gambling-related issues in the country, noting that one in ten adults could be classified as problem gamblers.
Minister Brown added, "I am aware that many people have strong views on gambling issues, and I believe this bill is designed to address the challenges of responsible gambling in 21st century Ireland. The bill takes a responsible approach, balancing gambling freedom with safeguards to protect people from addiction."
Brown has been leading the push for the passage of this bill in the Irish parliament, and he recently proposed an amendment aimed at giving the new regulatory authority greater power to restrict gambling companies from using free bets. This move came after intense debates in the Senate, where senators expressed concerns that free bets could tempt gambling addicts to start gambling again.
The minister acknowledged these concerns, stating, "We have also given the Irish Gambling Regulatory Authority the power to further restrict the types of offers that can be made and the manner in which they are provided when necessary. This indeed strengthens the powers of the regulatory authority and the minister, allowing them to take further action when necessary."
Barry Grant, consultant and project manager at Extern Problem Gambling, also expressed his concerns: "Promoting 'free bets,' 'free spins,' and other gambling incentives is a common reason for people to relapse into using our services. It is also concerning that free bets and free spins can tempt young people to start gambling."
Deputy Prime Minister Micheál Martin previously expressed his determination to push the law through during his government's term, describing gambling as "a shocking addiction" that could bring a double blow of economic and emotional impact to families.
