Page Contents
Recap
Last minute changes
What’s next?
Key contacts
Related areas
On 16 October 2024, the long-awaited Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 now completed its 20-month passage through the Irish parliamentary process. In this briefing, we examine some of the final changes to the Bill during a number of detailed debates in recent weeks as it accelerated towards enactment. We also plot out the key steps and milestones towards it being commenced and taking operational effect. This is likely to be sometime in 2025, with the exact timing to be determined.
Recap
The Bill establishes a comprehensive legal, regulatory and licensing framework for all forms of gambling in Ireland (with the exception of the National Lottery). It is a much-needed reform measure which will transform the regulation of gambling in Ireland in a number of ways.
Last minute changes
Well over a decade in the making,[1] the Bill was heavily debated during its passage through parliament, with some heated exchanges on key issues including advertising and inducements in recent weeks. Opposition politicians proposed extensive amendments to the Bill, although very few of these were accepted, with the final changes being largely clarificatory.
Some highlights to note are outlined below.
What’s next?
The passing of the Bill represents a significant landmark in gambling regulation in Ireland. While operators should take steps now in terms of upping their level of readiness for the new regulatory regime, a number of stages must still occur before the Bill becomes operational.
We will be publishing further detailed insights on the new regulatory regime in the weeks ahead to help you get prepared. For specific advice on navigating these changes, and how they may specifically apply to you and your business, please contact Katie O’Connor, partner, Joe Kelly, partner, Denise Daly Byrne, partner, Laura Quinn, associate or any member of our market leading specialist Betting, Gaming & Licensing group.
[1] Draft legislation was tabled as far back as 2023, in the form of a “General Scheme of a Gambling Control Bill”. This was parked with some piecemeal amendments in 2015 to introduce new forms of licences for remote bookmakers and remote betting intermediaries offering their services to Irish customers. Another ‘General Scheme’ published in 2021 ultimately provided the blueprint for the ’Gambling Regulation Bill’ which is soon to become law, having been originally published in December 2022