Ireland’s Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has confirmed that the launch of the country’s new gambling regulator will be delayed until at least 2021. This delay affects the implementation of Ireland’s Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019, which was signed into law in December 2019. The bill includes measures such as limits on gaming machine stakes and prizes.
During the consideration of the bill in May 2019, Minister of State David Stanton stated that the regulator should be operational within 18 months. However, Minister McEntee recently stated in response to a question from TD Pádraig O’Sullivan that the establishment of the regulator will not be proposed until next year.
The creation of the gambling regulator aligns with the commitments outlined in the Programme for Government, which emphasizes the importance of a regulator focused on public safety and well-being. This regulator will oversee both online and in-person gambling and will have the power to regulate advertising, gambling websites, and apps.
The Justice Department is currently working on the development of legislation to provide modern licensing and regulatory provisions for the Irish gambling industry. Minister McEntee aims to present these proposals to the Government in the coming year. She stresses the need for the regulator to be well-equipped to handle the complexities of the modern gambling industry in Ireland and emphasizes the importance of establishing a strong foundation and adequate resources for the regulator’s functioning.
