Minister of State at the Department of Justice with responsibility for Law Reform, James Browne TD, welcomed passage of the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 through both Houses of IRE PRL, to streamline, to strengthen and to modernize regulation.
The legislation sets out framework and legislative basis for the establishment of a new, independent statutory body UdarAs Rialala Cearrbhachais na hEireann, (the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland), a modern, robust licensing and regulatory framework.
The Bill provides for establishment and operation of the National Gambling Exclusion Register and introduces tight restrictions on the advertisement of gambling activities.
It also provides for the creation of a Social Impact Fund to support awareness–raising and the educational measures and to support problem gambling treatment activities.
The Bill includes a wide-ranging power to allow the GRAI to prescribe the times, place and events where gambling advertising can be broadcast, displayed or published, and allows it to specify frequency which advertising can be broadcast, the advert duration.
This power will allow the GRAI to address gambling advertising on social media, online and on traditional media like television, radio, websites, apps, in print, and outdoors.
With regard to black market operators, the Bill contains a suite of measures to address illegal or criminal gambling activity and includes explicit prohibitions on illegal activity or practices, some of which could result in significant custodial sentences for breaches.
Once the Bill is enacted, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) will be established with a seven-person authority, to take control of the Authority's activities.
A Program Board has been established in the Department of Justice to ensure that the legislation and operational preparations are progressed in parallel, allowing GRAI to commence operation on a phased basis, as soon as possible after it is now fully set up.
Ms Anne Marie Caulfield has been appointed to role of CEO Designate of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland and has been progressing important preparatory work.
Comment
Minister of State Browne commented this provides for new streamlined, simplified and coherent licensing framework, reflecting nature of gambling in modern society and addressing proliferation of digital gambling activities and advertising in recent years.
At its core, legislation is a public health measure aimed at protecting our citizens from gambling harm, including young people and those more vulnerable in communities.
Ms Caulfield commented the passage of the Gambling Regulation Bill is an important milestone towards establishing the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland which will ensure a well-regulated gambling sector while protecting public from gambling harms.
