TOUGH AND LONG-AWAITED regulations on the gambling industry – the first of its kind in Ireland – were last night passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas after over a decade of advocacy, work and delays.
The Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 will establish a watchdog agency, outlaw the use of credit cards for betting, ban day-time advertisements and introduce strict new rules for gaming companies.
A watchdog agency, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), has also been established to enforce these strict new rules and has been granted the power to provide and revoke licences to gaming companies.
Powers have also been granted to the GRAI, under the new law, to set restrictions on advertising, introduce player-care and addiction-prevention measures and regulate both in-store and online gambling.
All advertisements, including on the internet, will be prohibited until after 9pm under the new rules enforced by the GRAI. Every advert …