EGBA Supports the Establishing of the Independent Irish Gambling Regulatory Authority by the End of 2020

The proposal of the Irish Government to establish an independent gambling authority has received the full support of the industry.

Dr. Katie Hartmann, Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs of the European Gaming and Betting Association, has spoken at the stakeholder seminar about the proposal to change exciting gambling laws in this island-state.

In the Best Interest of Everyone Involved

The seminar was organized by the Irish Department of Justice and Equality after the publication of the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 on 20 March 2019. The said Bill is just a part of the legislative package aiming to regulate gambling activity in this northern country. Besides the independent regulatory body…

…it also foresees a number of changes that have to take place within the already existing gambling framework.

Dr. Hartmann, Director at EGBA said: “We welcome the proposal to establish an independent gambling authority and will follow closely the discussions on how the new regulator will be established and the powers it will have. It is in the interest of everyone involved in the gambling sector – companies, players and policymakers – to have a well – regulated online gambling market, which provides legal certainty and protects Irish players by ensuring they can play within a regulated environment. To enable this…

…a gross Gaming revenue tax, among others, is of crucial importance so that licensed gambling operators can offer a competitive product. For a low to be a success it should introduce a licensing system which is competitive and establishes a high degree of standards for operator and consumers alike. All reputable operators already have responsible gaming tools in place, but regulation should make those obligatory for all operators on the Irish market.”

In regard to the Responsible Gaming policy, Dr. Hartmann also added:

“Likewise, the Irish authorities should consider introducing a self – exclusion register for those who have, or are at risk of, problem gambling behavior. These punters should be able to exclude themselves from accessing gambling websites if they feel the need to. We look forward to the finalization of the draft law and will work constructively with the proposed gambling authority to implement it.”

The Irish Gambling Authority by the End of 2020

The intentions to create independent body were announced earlier this year and it’s all part of the effort to make the gambling sector more efficient. Junior minister, David Stanton, said that this regulatory body is set to be established in the next 18 months and that it’s imperative for it to stay completely independent of both industry and government.

He also said: “You are going to be talking about money laundering, you’re going to be talking about problem gambling, enforcement, licensing, research, regulation, inspection, so you could have up to 100 people working in this authority with that kind of expertise.”

Source:

“EGBA Welcomes the Proposal to Introduce Irish Gambling Regulatory Authority”, Niji Narayan, europeangaming.eu, May 20, 2019.