A Glimpse on Ireland's First Ever Gambling Regulation Bill

[BitcoinPanther]

If you are living in Ireland you should have known that Ireland Is About to Introduce Its First-Ever Gambling Regulation Bill.  This has been drafted and created due to the alarming number of citizens getting addicted to gambling.  

IN SUMMARY:

• New gambling legislation and a new national regulator are on their way
• The new bill seeks to regulate advertisements and sponsorships in addition to core betting activities
• The initiative is meant to help prevent problem gaming

A little background on the Gambling Regulation Bill[1]:

Earlier in 2021 the Department of Justice outlined its targeted timeframe for the reform of Irish gambling law and the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (the Authority) in its 'Justice Plan 2021' and its 'Statement of Strategy 2021-2023'.

The Justice Plan envisaged that a fully independent Director / CEO of the new statutory gambling regulatory authority would be established by Q4 2021.  Although the timelines in the Justice Plan have not been fully adhered to, the Department of Justice is taking steps towards the Authority becoming operational and recently published an advertisement on 25 February 2022 seeking candidates for appointment to the role of CEO to establish and lead the new Authority.

If anyone is interested you can find the presentation of the proposed bill here: General Scheme of Gambling Regulation Bill and the pdf copy here.

Among the proposed presentation here is the summary of steps the proposed Gambling Regulation Bill is implementing regarding how to solve the increasing Gambling Problem.

Part 5 - Safeguards, Advertising, Sponsorship and Social Impact Fund[2]

The Authority will have the ability to address advertisement of gambling across all forms of media, as well as addressing the issue of sponsorship by gambling companies.

The approach here importantly reflects that the Authority cannot address all these issues in isolation or unilaterally, and recognises the importance of cooperation between all bodies with responsibility for advertising, as well as the importance of consultation with concerned stakeholders.

The Authority will be empowered to issue codes, tied to enforceable sanctions for breach of terms and conditions of a licence, to address advertising, and to regulate promotions and sponsorship by licence holders. This approach will provide the Authority with greater flexibility in addressing current concerns and future developments. Some of these measures to be included in the codes are:

• the times and frequency which gambling advertising can appear on television, radio, and other media platforms each day
• a prohibition on the use of children or elements which may appeal to children in advertisements

Equally as important, Part 5 also includes measures and safeguards to address problem gambling, the protection of children, to ensure public safety and well-being, and consumer protection including:

• prohibitions on the offer of inducements such as free bets, VIP or preferential treatment
• prohibitions on the offer of credit or credit facilities to players
• spending limits where practicable
• restricting payment methods (such as credit cards)
• requirements around warnings and messaging
• prohibiting children from gambling and employing children in connection with gambling services

In addition, this Part will also establish a Social Impact Fund for the purposes of financing research and information, education and awareness raising measures, and appropriately supporting problem gambling treatment activities by relevant health professionals

Read more on page 172 of the General Scheme of the Gambling Regulation Bill pdf.

To Discuss:
It is notable that part 5 of the said bill is all about mitigating problem gambling and protecting minors against gambling exposure.  If you are to evaluate the plans stated in Part 5 of the bill, will it be effective in the mitigation of the Gambling Problem? Will it effectively protect minors from the influence of the gambling environment?

Source:
[1] https://www.algoodbody.com/insights-publications/gambling-regulatory-authority-of-ireland-a-step-closer
[2] https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/426dd-minister-browne-publishes-general-scheme-of-gambling-regulation-bill/#

[robelneo]

To Discuss:
It is notable that part 5 of the said bill is all about mitigating problem gambling and protecting minors against gambling exposure.  If you are to evaluate the plans stated in Part 5 of the bill, will it be effective in the mitigation of the Gambling Problem? Will it effectively protect minors from the influence of the gambling environment?

Any bill, recommendation, and suggestions that are meant to protect the minors are worth and should be supported, a country doesn't want to find out that the majority of its people are very into gambling, it will harm the resources and the reputation of the country if this happens, advertising influenced the choice and daily lives of every individual and by introducing this bill it limits the influence on the fertile mind of the young people..
In fact, every country should have a bill implemented to protect the youth from the influence of these gambling advertisements

[Saisher]

Gambling can cause chaos in a country and its the duty of every country to protect the youth who will make and create the future of their country, yes gambling is a multi-billion industry and the tax and the revenues and the companies that rely on this sector is very huge, but the country is also spending so much for the rehabilitation and prevention of crime coming from gambling addiction, this bill is meant to protect the youth on the bad impact of gambling, youth should have a pleasant experience while growing and exposing it to gambling will ruin it.  

[lionheart78]

To Discuss:
It is notable that part 5 of the said bill is all about mitigating problem gambling and protecting minors against gambling exposure.  If you are to evaluate the plans stated in Part 5 of the bill, will it be effective in the mitigation of the Gambling Problem? Will it effectively protect minors from the influence of the gambling environment?

I believe it will help to mitigate the gambling problem to some extent but I don't think that it is that effective.  Government should make a campaign about gambling addiction on par with this new legislation. The campaign should include students from elementary to college.  If it is possible it is best to create a curriculum about gambling awareness and discuss the matter of gambling addiction.  Nothing beats implanting knowledge specially at a very young age.

[Oshosondy]

The initiative is meant to help prevent problem gaming

The main gambling problem is addiction. How is the bill going to help addiction? Let us hope it will help to some extent, but I see the best way to help addiction is the help an addicted person get from friends and family around him and also learn that no income, profit and earning can be gotten from gambling. If Ireland pass the bill and become law, there are still other gambling sites that Irish gamblers can resort to.

Any bill, recommendation, and suggestions that are meant to protect the minors are worth and should be supported, a country doesn't want to find out that the majority of its people are very into gambling, it will harm the resources and the reputation of the country if this happens, advertising influenced the choice and daily lives of every individual and by introducing this bill it limits the influence on the fertile mind of the young people..
In fact, every country should have a bill implemented to protect the youth from the influence of these gambling advertisements

It will be better much appreciated if gambling ads on TV channels, YouTube's and social media are not allowed again, but I doubt if this would be possible. Kids and many people are exposed to gambling ads, if the bill are passed and signed and become law and got effective, it woukd help the youths in the country.

[BitcoinPanther]

The initiative is meant to help prevent problem gaming

The main gambling problem is addiction. How is the bill going to help addiction? Let us hope it will help to some extent, but I see the best way to help addiction is the help an addicted person get from friends and family around him and also learn that no income, profit and earning can be gotten from gambling. If Ireland pass the bill and become law, there are still other gambling sites that Irish gamblers can resort to.

I think this will answer your question since it is already stated on the bill.  

Part 5 - Safeguards, Advertising, Sponsorship and Social Impact Fund[2]

The Authority will have the ability to address advertisement of gambling across all forms of media, as well as addressing the issue of sponsorship by gambling companies.

The approach here importantly reflects that the Authority cannot address all these issues in isolation or unilaterally, and recognises the importance of cooperation between all bodies with responsibility for advertising, as well as the importance of consultation with concerned stakeholders.

The Authority will be empowered to issue codes, tied to enforceable sanctions for breach of terms and conditions of a licence, to address advertising, and to regulate promotions and sponsorship by licence holders. This approach will provide the Authority with greater flexibility in addressing current concerns and future developments. Some of these measures to be included in the codes are:

• the times and frequency which gambling advertising can appear on television, radio, and other media platforms each day
• a prohibition on the use of children or elements which may appeal to children in advertisements

Equally as important, Part 5 also includes measures and safeguards to address problem gambling, the protection of children, to ensure public safety and well-being, and consumer protection including:

• prohibitions on the offer of inducements such as free bets, VIP or preferential treatment
• prohibitions on the offer of credit or credit facilities to players
• spending limits where practicable
• restricting payment methods (such as credit cards)
• requirements around warnings and messaging
• prohibiting children from gambling and employing children in connection with gambling services

In addition, this Part will also establish a Social Impact Fund for the purposes of financing research and information, education and awareness raising measures, and appropriately supporting problem gambling treatment activities by relevant health professionals

Read more on page 172 of the General Scheme of the Gambling Regulation Bill pdf.

if you have time try to read the given page on that quote, it explains clearly starting on that given page

Any bill, recommendation, and suggestions that are meant to protect the minors are worth and should be supported, a country doesn't want to find out that the majority of its people are very into gambling, it will harm the resources and the reputation of the country if this happens, advertising influenced the choice and daily lives of every individual and by introducing this bill it limits the influence on the fertile mind of the young people..
In fact, every country should have a bill implemented to protect the youth from the influence of these gambling advertisements

It will be better much appreciated if gambling ads on TV channels, YouTube's and social media are not allowed again, but I doubt if this would be possible. Kids and many people are exposed to gambling ads, if the bill are passed and signed and become law and got effective, it woukd help the youths in the country.

I agree to your idea.  Gambling advertisement should be banned in media where children have access.  At least it minimize the risk of children being exposed to gambling.

[dimonstration]

Can you provide data the previous statistics of Ireland in terms of gambling addiction and what's there stand on gambling prior to this regulation?

It's seems that the drafted regulation is very common which usually most country have this kind of regulation when it comes in gambling. I'm not familiar exactly on Ireland and how many people living there that involved in gambling so I having a general overview on the country background will be beneficial for the readers to digest properly the content.

Nice thread btw.

[minime0105]

To Discuss:
It is notable that part 5 of the said bill is all about mitigating problem gambling and protecting minors against gambling exposure.  If you are to evaluate the plans stated in Part 5 of the bill, will it be effective in the mitigation of the Gambling Problem? Will it effectively protect minors from the influence of the gambling environment?

Any bill, recommendation, and suggestions that are meant to protect the minors are worth and should be supported, a country doesn't want to find out that the majority of its people are very into gambling, it will harm the resources and the reputation of the country if this happens, advertising influenced the choice and daily lives of every individual and by introducing this bill it limits the influence on the fertile mind of the young people.
Every country should have a bill implemented to protect the youth from the influence of these gambling advertisements

Am not against the bill being passed but does the government of Ireland have enough employment opportunities for her people since they intend to regulate every gambling activity in the country, the youths who are already addicted to gambling will need something that would keep them busy thereby giving them money for feeding and other things. I think every country can do better apart from passing bills to stop or reduce youth from gambling by creating more jobs and giving the younger ones good orientation about the bad effect of gambling I believe that's when the bills will stand strong.

[Rruchi man]

If you are living in Ireland you should have known that Ireland Is About to Introduce Its First-Ever Gambling Regulation Bill.  This has been drafted and created due to the alarming number of citizens getting addicted to gambling.  

Apart from the monetary gain the government stands to get from this, It is a good thing that the government in Ireland are taking into consideration the welfare its citizens. The estimated population in Ireland puts them at just about five million people in the country. It will be devastating even to the country if more than half of its entire population old and young become problem gamblers. Problem gambling can prompt many criminal behaviors especially in minors. In addition to the regulation they are about putting in place, the government can also look into establishing rehabilitation centers for those who are already problem gamblers, especially the minors.

Hopefully other countries should emulate this strategy as well to ensure that they tackle the issues of minors involved in gambling and to enforce responsible gambling in adults as well.

[Gozie51]

To Discuss:
It is notable that part 5 of the said bill is all about mitigating problem gambling and protecting minors against gambling exposure.  If you are to evaluate the plans stated in Part 5 of the bill, will it be effective in the mitigation of the Gambling Problem? Will it effectively protect minors from the influence of the gambling environment?

Of course it will go along way to protect minors or at least make who is concern that they are contravening an existing gambling law. Therefore, the law or bill will be effective in two ways. One is on the part of the gambling houses or casino to checkmate them on disallowing minors from playing. Also to the parents, to activate parental guidance for their children. Laws are sure a good step to direct citizens on their rights and limit to same right. In Nigeria for now, the government is nonchalant about the gambling industry and you see minors having freedom to do as they wish both online or real life gambling.

[fullhdpixel]

To Discuss:
It is notable that part 5 of the said bill is all about mitigating problem gambling and protecting minors against gambling exposure.  If you are to evaluate the plans stated in Part 5 of the bill, will it be effective in the mitigation of the Gambling Problem? Will it effectively protect minors from the influence of the gambling environment?

Effective in a way that there's no more minors that will play gambling? I don't know if that is guaranteed but pretty sure it will help lessen or mitigate the problems of minors being involved on the said activity because the lists are quite good and I can see there that they focus mainly on reducing or totally cutting the credit/debit card as a source of payment because they are also aware that it is the root cause on why a minor can gamble because they can just steal it secretly fro their parents.

Not only in gambling actually but there are reports where minors also use their parents' cards to purchase items from their video games or on those so-called loot boxes.

[fiulpro]

I do not understand why they have prohibited free bets and VIP treatment as well since most of the casinos have that for the players which are devoted to one casino, therefore this might definitely be a problem for the casinos, other than that for the kids they might have to have KYC and other options making the whole idea more centralized and some people might be pushed away and might try to use VPN OR even some use international casinos..

The Gambling protection does need to be applied in offline mode as well, I visited a casino today they had all sorts of posters saying how the don't entertain people below the age of 18 but there was no security and no one even asked for the IDs

[Quidat]

I do not understand why they have prohibited free bets and VIP treatment as well since most of the casinos have that for the players which are devoted to one casino, therefore this might definitely be a problem for the casinos, other than that for the kids they might have to have KYC and other options making the whole idea more centralized and some people might be pushed away and might try to use VPN OR even some use international casinos..

The Gambling protection does need to be applied in offline mode as well, I visited a casino today they had all sorts of posters saying how the don't entertain people below the age of 18 but there was no security and no one even asked for the IDs

Wasn't really bad to put emphasis or making out some step to avoid minors on playing gambling but we do know that everything can't really be controlled nor get rid yet there would be some changes which will really push people to do all possible or sort of ways for them to access out and as much as they like they do really mind off about kyc-less or something in related by being anonymous but if we do talk about typical fiat casinos then it would really be just standard and this is something normal.

[BitcoinPanther]

I do not understand why they have prohibited free bets and VIP treatment as well since most of the casinos have that for the players which are devoted to one casino, therefore this might definitely be a problem for the casinos, other than that for the kids they might have to have KYC and other options making the whole idea more centralized and some people might be pushed away and might try to use VPN OR even some use international casinos..

They have prohibited offering freebies or rewards that will encourage players to continue gambling or dissuade the player to stop playing which may cause gambling addiction.

7. (1) Licence holders shall be prohibited from offering any form of inducement to
encourage persons to keep gambling or to dissuade a person to stop playing

source: p. 176 General Scheme of the Gambling Regulation Bill

The Gambling protection does need to be applied in offline mode as well, I visited a casino today they had all sorts of posters saying how the don't entertain people below the age of 18 but there was no security and no one even asked for the IDs

They must be applied, yes I agree, probably the security of the Casino you visited is lazing around.  Any concerned citizen can report those lazy securities but then it will cost them their job.

[Ulven]

To Discuss:
It is notable that part 5 of the said bill is all about mitigating problem gambling and protecting minors against gambling exposure.  If you are to evaluate the plans stated in Part 5 of the bill, will it be effective in the mitigation of the Gambling Problem? Will it effectively protect minors from the influence of the gambling environment?

this bill is important because it helps protect the children from becoming addicted to gambling, it limits the advertising and gives parents a choice on how they want their children to be!! this bill is worth supporting and maybe even signing yourself if you believe in protecting our young people not just from gambling but all addiction.

I think that the media has been intentionally creating a culture of gambling and this is why I support this bill, if we don't do something about it the negative impacts are inevitable!!

[BitcoinPanther]

I think that the media has been intentionally creating a culture of gambling and this is why I support this bill, if we don't do something about it the negative impacts are inevitable!!

Media broadcasting is kind of business so it is not surprising to see gambling advertisements since it pays a good sum of money for the promotions.  If the government allowed gambling to be broadcasted in media, they should create another campaign to mitigate the effect of this implementation to the children.  They should require parents to undergo seminars on gambling awareness so that they can effectively perform a parental guide on preventing their kids to take part on gambling.  Often times awareness coupled with parental guide is the most effective way of educating kids about stuffs.