Ireland to Limit Number of Online Casinos

Irish Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has published details of the government's Gambling Control Bill 2013, which will extend licensing to online gaming and limit the number of approved casinos.

Limit on Casinos

If approved, the bill will repeal and replace all existing regulation of betting, gaming, bingo and lotteries, except for the National Lottery. It will also establish a license regime for the so-far unregulated online gambling industry.

The number of approved casinos will be limited to 40 and none of the licensed casinos will be permitted to have more than 15 tables.

Anyone offering gambling services to Irish residents, whether they are based in the country or not, will be required to obtain a licence.

Government Optimistic

According to Shatter, this legislation "has the twin objective of effectively regulating the new and dynamic gambling sector that has emerged in recent years, while also providing the opportunity to introduce important new measures to protect vulnerable adults and young people."

The justice minister added that the updated legislation and new regulatory regime will provide for a consistent interpretation and application of the law across all areas of gambling, and as a result "will bring legal certainty to the area."

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