Ireland Introduces Suggest Comprehensive Reforms in Long-Awaited Legislation Update
Published March 23, 2019 by Lee R
The new regulation model in Ireland takes the responsibility and day to day governance out of the hands of government.
In Ireland, an interdepartmental group within the government is recommending new gambling regulations.
From Counsels to Authority
The measure would entail a transfer of responsibility from council that would impacts licensing and regulation of thousands of gaming machines, and would place responsibility for their governance in the hands of a new regulator.
Minister of State David Stanton has received cabinet approval to move forward with the Gaming and Lotteries Amendment Bill 2019.
New Fund and Taxes
Upon recommendations from the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, a new social fund along with a new authority are set to be introduced, and will be funded by taxes on operators licenced operators.
Research
Updated research on gambling addiction and treatment will go hand in hand with industry expansion, in a model that will serve as the “blueprint” for future laws.
Rapid Growth Market
These measures arrive to an environment that is rapidly growing with thirty-two licenses granted per day 2018 in the country's gambling facilities.
Second Attempt Better
The new legislation is an update to a 2013 attempt at reform which failed in the face of the rapidly shifting technological landscape, with Stanton’s group has been working hard to keep the new legislation up-to-date with the industry.
Laws Supplemented
Existing laws will not be eradicated, but rather will remain in force with the new regulatory body taking over as a supplemental level of control. All regulation matters would be transferred to district courts and revenue commissioners under the new plan.
Specific Reforms
Reforms are being introduced into the bill to clarify government permit and licensing functions, addressing specific areas such as local gaming and lottery activity as well as age, prize and stake limits.
The prize limits and stake of gaming machines are rumored to be going from 3c and 50c to €10 and €750, the first such changes since 1956.
Other legislation under consideration is the increase in the amount of gaming machines; diverting some tax revenues to domestic football; and gambling advertising.
Outlook
If successful, the measures that Ireland implements could prove to effective in a well-developed region that optimizes the use of tax revenues.
