IAGA SUMMIT FOCUS: THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
progressed at the same time so that, once the Bill becomes law, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) can commence operations as soon as possible. Te initial priority is to formally establish the GRAI, which will have a wide variety of functions, including:
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Regulating the provision of gambling services and activities, both online and in person
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Developing safeguards to protect consumers from problem gambling, including establishment of a National Gambling Exclusion Register and a Social Impact Fund to finance research, training, and education on gambling addiction
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Licensing of gambling services and activities, including maintaining a register of all licensed operators and determining license fees
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Ensuring compliance by gambling providers with restrictions imposed on advertising and sponsorship, including a statutory watershed prohibiting gambling advertising between the hours of 5.30am and 9.00pm on television, radio or on-demand audio-visual media
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Receiving, investigating and addressing complaints about gambling providers
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Ensuring compliance by gambling providers with the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010, and addressing money laundering activities in the context of gambling services
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Keeping the Minister of Justice informed of developments relating to the regulation and licensing of gambling services and making recommendations on policies
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Promoting public awareness and disseminating information to the public about regulation and licensing of gambling activities
Micaela: Tere is broad political consensus that the introduction of a new licensing and regulatory regime for gambling in Ireland is urgently required. Te challenge which Ireland faces, like other jurisdictions which have gone before it, is to strike an appropriate balance in safeguarding consumers whilst ensuring that regulation is fair and proportionate.
While the Irish government has indicated its intention to get the legislation enacted into law later this year, there are potential risks to this timeline. We understand that work is underway behind the scenes in updating aspects of the Bill published last December, as well as engagement and consultation with various stakeholders. Tis was confirmed by the Junior Minister for Justice in April in response to a parliamentary question, in which he confirmed that a list of amendments to the Bill are currently being worked through by the Department of Justice with a view to these being put to Committee Stage for debate 'in the coming months'.
In parallel with this drafting work to further
develop the Bill, a 'TRIS' notification has been made to the EU Commission regarding the Bill under the Technical Standards Directive given the perceived potential for a number of its provisions to have an impact on the EU's internal market. Depending on the response of the EU Commission, it is possible that further amendments to the Bill will be required, which could have an impact on overall timing. While the Bill in its entirely has been notified, the notification identifies in particular the certain provisions concerning advertising on 'on- demand audio-visual media services' (ODAVMS) and other electronic means of communication, and the conditions attached to the various types of licences introduced by the Bill.
Will change happen - and why?
Micaela: While the reforms have been in the pipeline for several years, there is now significant momentum behind them. Regulatory change now appears to be reasonably imminent, even if the timelines being targeted by government may get delayed.
Perhaps the clearest indicator of this is the early appointment last September of Ms Anne Marie Caulfield as CEO designate of the planned new regulatory agency. Ms Caulfield has been tasked with establishing the GRAI in parallel with the further development of legislation, to ensure that there is no delay in it becoming operational following the commencement of the legislation.
WIRE / PULSE / INSIGHT / REPORTS P43
“Overhauling the entirety of gambling regulation in Ireland will take time so the legislation has been drafted to facilitate commencement of the Bill section by section if required. The Department of Justice has established a Programme
Board to ensure legislation and operational preparations are progressed at the same time so that, once the Bill becomes law, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) can
commence operations as soon as possible.”
Rob Corbet
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