The latest Irish gambling news. Report shows underage gamblers at risk and covers the latest find imposed by the country’s lottery regulator. (Image by InspiredImages from Pixabay)
Ireland is still in the process of thrashing out its new online gambling regulatory framework. Amid the upcoming rules soon to be implemented, studies have shown that the country’s youth is at risk of underage gambling. Maybe this is all the more reason to speed up the process and begin regulating gambling in the country.
However, these new rules will come at a loss to the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and Curacao licensing authorities as casinos operating under these frameworks attract many casino, poker, lottery, and sports betting consumers.
The country seemingly has some regulations already, as the Irish Times recently reported that the Republic of Ireland lottery regulator has dished out fines recently for breaches of self-exclusion policies by Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI). It is not often we see these types of penalties occur directly from an authority in Ireland.
Hence, when I came across this news report, it stood out. I also expect that once the Irish Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), we’ll see more news covering fines as we often see with the UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority. However, there have been some delays and concerns about the current draft of the Irish GRA.
Get the full story on how online gambling operates in Ireland: One of the critical online gambling markets covered here on CasinoPlusBonus is the Republic of Ireland. The Irish online casino guide gives you the complete picture of what is happening in the country, the laws, and the casino lists. Of course, once the new gambling authority comes into place, we will instantly update with the new rules and online casinos operating in the country.
Ireland’s Youth Gambling Crisis Unveiled
In a distressing disclosure, close to a quarter of 16-year-olds in Ireland have partaken in gambling activities in the preceding year, with roughly 21% unable to manage their betting behaviours effectively, reveals a study by the Institute of Public Health and TobaccoFree Research Institute Ireland. Mainly, lads are at a heightened risk, experiencing gambling-related troubles nearly threefold compared to girls.
Dr Helen McAvoy, a prominent figure at the IPH, called for concerted public health strategies to safeguard the younger generation from the adverse effects of gambling. Minister James Browne resonated with this stance, accentuating the government’s commitment to addressing this pressing concern through imminent legislative adjustments.
To staunchly address this menace, the forthcoming Gambling Regulation Bill, slated for enactment early next year, intends to curtail the extent of gambling adverts accessible to the young populace. Not to overlook, sports betting has emerged as a dominant lure, attracting a significant portion of underage gamblers.
It’s pivotal to note that the present scenario starkly contravenes Irish legislation, which permits gambling exclusively for individuals aged 18 and above. This seminal research, grounded on insights from nearly 1950 secondary school attendees, underscores a dire issue that warrants swift and decisive measures.
Source:The information reported came via the Institute of Public Health (IPH) – odds of gambling stacked against 16-year-old boys in Ireland, which references a survey by the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD).
Summary
- Irish youth’s significant gambling engagement
- Boys face higher gambling risks
- Urgent public health intervention needed
- Imminent governmental legislative reforms
- Anticipated Gambling Regulation Bill
Irish Lottery Regulator Tightens Self-Exclusion Protocols with €150,000 Fine
In a recent report titled Lottery Operator fined published by the Irish Times, the Irish lottery regulator has slapped a substantial fine of € 150,000 on Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI), holding them accountable for significant breaches in their self-exclusion policies. This revelation comes after an investigation unearthed that 16 individuals who had previously opted for self-exclusion managed to create new accounts, with ten of them resuming gambling activities.
PLI, which had introduced self-exclusion measures in 2019 as a voluntary initiative to curb problem gambling, found themselves in a precarious position in 2021 when GDPR stipulations necessitated the deletion of 126 permanently self-excluded accounts. Carol Boate, the regulatory body’s chief, reiterated their unwavering commitment to safeguarding players and enforcing strict regulatory compliance. Boate confidently affirmed that these stringent measures have played a pivotal role in averting underage and problem gambling, especially in the online sphere of the National Lottery.
The Irish Online Gambling Market: We are still awaiting further updates on when the new Irish Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) will come into action. News of the upcoming regulatory framework came back in November 2022 in a report published here on CasinoPlusBonus – New GRA Coming in 2023.
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