Statutes that had served both society and the industry perfectly well for decades were suddenly rendered irrelevant or unclear due to the entirely revolutionary nature of online gaming.

While some jurisdictions have tried to adapt their existing legislation to cover online gaming and cross-border law enforcement, others have gone for wider-reaching measures. Ireland has opted to shake up their gambling laws with a new piece of legislation that was passed on the 16th of October 2024.

The culmination of two years' work, the Gambling Regulation Bill 2024 was first introduced in December 2022 and it contains measures that will modernise the laws around gaming. Until recently, Irish gambling laws were very similar to those of the UK and both have remained largely untouched since 1956. But Ireland's gambling industry has been growing steadily for years, and there are no signs of an end to that trend. This legal rejuvenation could be just what Ireland needs to maintain their increasingly important position in the global gaming arena, following countries such as Malta which has a thriving gaming industry as a result of world-class regulation.

Some of the key changes include:

Regulatory reform

With a large percentage of the population working in gambling and related industries, the proposed changes were always going to elicit strong opinions from those most affected. One of the major goals of the legal overhaul was to bring Ireland into line with some of the better-established gambling markets in terms of their regulatory oversight.

A new body, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland was established to take responsibility for licensing gambling providers in Ireland. The primary focus of this body is to make improvements for the benefit of the consumers, with a remit that includes advertising, online gaming, and mobile apps.

Licensing

All gambling providers will need to apply for a license covering their specific activity and this will set the framework for their operations. There will be licenses that cover remote operators and the way they handle working with the Irish market and gamers will be able to see the details of an operator's license to ensure that they are legitimate.

As a country with a thriving gambling industry, Ireland has plenty of players that will benefit from the move towards a safer online offering. With many slots sites to choose from and fun games on offer, players want to immerse themselves in the experience, not worry about whether their details are secure.

An easily identifiable regulator will make searching for a provider easier than ever before, especially given the high standards members will have to adhere to maintain their licenses.

Advertising

The new law covers the type of offers and deals that operators are allowed to promote, limiting the way that adverts can be targeted. The GRAI are expected to intervene if they believe that an operator is advertising in ways that go against the principles of their license.

There are also new rules about advertising on social media and on-demand services in order to protect minors and the vulnerable.

Payment method restrictions

Under the terms of the new act, licensees will be banned from taking credit card payments for their services, extending credit to players, or even permitting players to use credit from elsewhere. This hardline approach brings the Irish sector inline with the UK and a number of other jurisdictions and is part of the move towards player wellbeing.

Sporting events

The link between sports and gambling is long-established, but the GRAI are specifically responsible for prioritising the wellbeing of players and society in general. The matter of sponsorship will fall under the new legislation concerning advertising, so providers will have to examine their marketing activity closely to ensure compliance.

How has the bill been received?

For players, the new laws mean that they know what to expect from a GRAI-licensed operator and it should be easier to establish whether a website or other provider is legitimate. The sector-specific regulations should make it easier for players to understand what they can expect from the different gaming options and set out clear processes to address any issues that arise.

Although there are more regulations for operators to comply with, gambling providers have also welcomed the opportunity to be part of a potentially industry-boosting move. With better regulation comes more opportunities and if Ireland can position itself as a safe place for gamblers, it could have long term benefits.

Many gaming providers will need to review their policies and operating procedures in order to ensure that they comply with the new licensing terms. The new legislation represents a huge change for the gaming industry in Ireland, but the goal is to create a world-class regulatory system that offers players the best and safest experience.