In a move similar to the recent reshaping of the gaming sector in Great Britain, legislators in Ireland are pondering significant amendments to the gambling regulations. With the review of the 2022 Gambling Regulation Bill, the aim is not only to protect consumers, but also to establish stringent guidelines related to gambling advertising and inducements accessible to licensed casinos and sports betting operators.
The proposed legislation will make its final stop at the Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the country, on Wednesday before it moves to the Seanad for further scrutiny. Thus, the lawmakers are currently debating changes corresponding to the gambling regulation.
One suggested change, advocated by James Browne, the Minister of State, concerns the exemption of certain bodies from the proposed gambling advertising blanket ban which is part of the new gambling laws of the country. The Irish Times reports the proposition to allow charities and gambling organizations that conduct advertising “for a charitable or philanthropic purpose” to be exempt from the ban.
This alteration from the originally proposed ban resulted from misgivings voiced by lawmakers and representatives of the gambling and racing industry about the effect of such severe restrictions. In addition, broadcasters like Racing TV, voiced concerns about the possible adverse impact a blanket ban on gambling advertising could pose to the industry.
Earlier this month, Lottoland, an operator that provides bettors with betting options on national lottery outcomes without engaging in the draws themselves, expressed its worries stating that though it has addressed numerous concerns in a letter to Minister Browne, there has been no sit down yet for a discussion with the company.
The Commendable Works of Irish Gambling Charities Continues
GamblingCare, an independent charity-backed service aimed at research, education and treatment for those affected by problem gambling in Ireland, and managed by the Gambling Awareness Trust, issued a comprehensive report on its 2023 services late last month.
The report revealed that GamblingCare conducted 5,971 counseling sessions last year. This figure marked a significant rise from the 4,230 sessions held in 2022. Moreover, the charity saw a spike in website traffic last year, registering an impressive leap from 14,000 in 2022 to nearly 103,000 in 2023.
However, the information on the amount spent on advertising and promotion of services by GamblingCare was not readily available.
Nonetheless, if the proposed changes are approved by the lawmakers, groups such as GamblingCare and Gamblers Anonymous Ireland, along with other charity organizations, could be exempt from the initially proposed blanket gambling advertising ban.
