Updated Irish online casino laws for 2024

Over the past decade, the Irish government has introduced regulatory changes to its gambling laws.

While these changes may hold the potential to cause confusion, they are an indication that gambling regulators are keeping up with the advancements and evolution of the industry. 

Outdated laws do little to protect consumers and ensure a fair industry, which is why Ireland considered the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022, a proposed bill authored by Alan Shatter.

Before we get into what you can anticipate from the bill once passed, let’s briefly look at the history of regulation. 

Gambling regulations in Ireland before the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022

Before Ireland tabled the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 and decided to push it through, the country primarily relied on the Betting (Amendment) Act 2015. The regulatory environment was different in the following key ways:

• Licensing and regulation: The Betting Act addressed the licensing of remote operators and mandated that all entities offering the service, whether on the island or abroad, required licenses.
• Regulatory bodies: The Revenue Commissioners were at the centre of managing licensure and ensuring regulatory compliance. They oversaw betting activities, while the National Lottery and local authorities oversaw their respective jurisdictions.
• Player protection: The regulations emphasized player protection and responsible gambling, with requirements for operators to use strong security protocols to safeguard user and financial data. Other measures that were mandated included self-exclusion options and limits on deposits.
• Taxation: Taxes were paid as a percentage of turnover for betting operators, but punters could keep all their winnings, creating a player-friendly environment.
• Casino gaming: Options offered by casinos, including slots and casino table games, were illegal unless played in permitted small private member clubs. Online gaming was not expressly regulated and there was no licensing regime specifically for online casino operators.
• Age limit: The legal age for participating in online casino activities was 16 or older, which was seen as lenient. Recent changes will see the age raised to 18.

From this brief rundown of what the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 is replacing, you can clearly see some of the more obvious gaps in previous regulations. So, how are they addressed in the new regulations?

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland

The GRAI will be given the power to regulate gambling in Ireland both on land and online. This purview will include gaming, betting and lottery activities, except for the National Lottery, which will be regulated through the National Lottery Act 2013. 

Let’s break it down further:

1. Online Gambling Regulations

The GRAI will be the primary regulator for online casinos operating in Ireland, with the GRAI specifying the type of games and activities provided.

The licenses are slated to be granted by the Regulator for specified activity. Where an activity is not specified, guilty offenders are liable for up to eight years in prison or a fine.

Online casinos will need to comply with these new regulations to continue operating legally in Ireland. Luckily, there are online casino review sites such as Irishluck.ie which helps players find the best online casinos in Ireland.

2. Children safety

The Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 outlines safeguards expressly to protect and prohibit children’s participation in gambling or access to premises where gambling happens. The Authority says anyone convicted of an offense will face up to five years imprisonment and/or a fine.

3. Advertisement

Advertisements will have to be clearly identifiable, with specifications for what can and can’t be included. 

• Advertising showing gambling as attractive to children or misrepresenting any perceived financial or social benefits of gambling is prohibited.
• Operators are not allowed to advertise on social media, and people can only receive ads where they opt-in or follow the advertiser on specific social media platforms.
• The bill also includes a ban on gambling ads on TV and radio from 5:30am to 9:00pm, as well as where and when gambling ads can be shown, including how long they can be and how often they can be shown. 

4. Sponsorship and inducements

The bill has regulations for sponsorship and merchandise, including guidelines such as:

• No manufacturing, selling or giving away gambling-branded items to children.
• Gambling companies can’t sponsor events with mainly child participants, child-focused events, organizations or premises with child members, or public activities appealing to children.
• Operators can’t offer incentives like hospitality, VIP treatment, free bets or better odds to encourage gambling.
• The Minister and The Authority can limit or ban gambling promotions. 

Breaching these laws can lead up to five years in prison and/or a fine.

5. The National Gambling Exclusion Register

The establishment of a national register is geared towards addressing problem gambling. People will be able to register with the authority to exclude themselves from gambling online. The register will be operated separately from similar initiatives by operators. Allowing people on the registry to gamble could mean up to five years imprisonment and/or a fine.

What the Gambling Regulation Bill will mean for the industry

Ireland is poised to meet the new gambling landscape with all its pitfalls and benefits. The new bill even includes a Social Impact Fund, which is contributed to by each licensee to support awareness-raising, and educational measures to support gambling addiction treatment.]

The process of enacting this new bill has not been without criticism or concerns. However, Irish players can feel more confident that the new regulations are designed to protect them.