Ireland’s first gambling regulator is advancing plans to create a National Exclusion Register to allow people to prevent themselves from gambling online.
Although the legislation that would grant significant powers to the Gambling Regulatory Authority did not pass through all stages of the Oireachtas before the summer recess, work is still ongoing in multiple areas to prepare for these laws being enacted.
In an update on the progression of the laws to the Dáil, Minister of State at the Department of Justice James Browne said that once the law is passed the regulator will begin operation “on a phased basis”.
“The team is working toward the establishment of a Gambling Exclusion Scheme and its work in this regard has included stakeholder engagement and exploring Gambling Exclusion Schemes in other jurisdictions, including the wrap-around supports that can support those who wish to utilise the scheme,” he said.
In the UK, its regulator points people towards a service called GAMSTOP, where, once registered, a person would be prevented from using gambling websites and apps run by companies licenced in Britain for a period of their choosing. Last year, the UK’s Gambling Commission fined Paddy Power £490,000 for sending push notifications to devices linked to people who had self-excluded.
Under Ireland’s laws, once a person registers it will be an offence for a gambling company to allow that person to gamble, accept payment from that person for gambling or communicate with that person in a way that encourages or promotes gambling. Work is also underway to identify technological solutions that would allow the register to operate.
Under the legislation, gambling companies that breach the law could face substantial fines of up to €20m or 10% of their turnover.
Mr Browne also said that “substantial work” is underway towards establishing a licencing regime for the sector, again in consultation with how other jurisdictions have operated them.
The Irish Examiner has previously reported that ferocious lobbying has been taking place regarding the provisions of the bill before it is enacted.
Last week, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee obtained Government approval at Cabinet for amendments to the legislation.
This included exempting the charitable and philanthropic sectors from certain provisions of the bill, allowing flexibility for organisations such as the GAA, charities, and other not-for-profit bodies.
Another amendment will allow children on the premises of venues that offer more than just gambling products, whilst upholding a strict prohibition on children engaging in such activity.
Research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) published late last year suggested that one in 10 adults in Ireland are now either problem gamblers or report gambling has caused multiple problems in their lives.
The ESRI said that there are 10 times the number of problem gamblers in Ireland than previously thought, which it said has “serious implications for understanding the role that gambling plays in Irish life”.
Even at this, ESRI researchers said “we still may be underestimating the true prevalence” of problem gambling.
Mr Browne added that this research has given the regulator a “clearer picture of gambling in Ireland” and will be vital in providing an evidence base to its approach to regulation, education, and awareness.