Ireland's long-awaited gambling bill is about to enter the final stages of legislation, with Junior Justice Minister James Brown expressing confidence that the bill will pass within three weeks.
However, due to a possible general election, the implementation of the bill may be delayed until the next session of the Irish House of Representatives, leaving its fate uncertain.
The bill was initially submitted to the House of Representatives in December 2022 and is expected to complete its review in the Senate next week. It will then return to the House of Representatives for revision by the Senate.
Although this process is nearing completion, if a general election is held, it could disrupt this process, potentially delaying the bill until the next parliamentary term.
The bill proposes strict measures to tackle Ireland's gambling issues. One key provision allows individuals to opt out of gambling, and it is illegal for companies to engage in any gambling-related activities with these individuals.
It is worth noting: IBA supports the bill but expresses concerns about the unintended consequences of advertising restrictions and betting limits
Violations could result in gambling companies being fined up to 20 million euros (22 million dollars) or 10% of their turnover.
Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister Michael Martin emphasized the importance of passing this legislation and described gambling addiction as a "terrible disease" that has severe consequences for families and the economy.
However, despite the progress made, the Irish Betting Association (IBA) still has concerns about several aspects of the proposed bill.
In particular, the IBA is concerned about advertising restrictions and betting limits, believing that some proposed measures may inadvertently push consumers towards unregulated black market operators.
