Ireland revamps ‘Control Bill’ seeking to create new independent industry regulator

The Irish government has tabled a proposition for the betting/gambling sectors to be overseen by a new independent regulatory body.

The mandate for an independent regulator has been propositioned by Irish Minister of State for Equality and Integration David Stanton, who seeks to amend provisions of the country’s Gambling Control Bill.

The 2013 bill proposed the development of a ‘gambling control office’ under the control of the Department of Justice, an initiative which has not been pursued by the Irish government.

Stanton proposes that an independent regulator should be created to oversee the Irish gambling sector on policy and legislation related to advertising standards, social responsibility, sector research/funding and treatment of problem gambling.

Furthermore, a revamped Control Bill will include changes to Ireland’s licensing system for all industry verticals (retail and digital)

The development of an independent regulatory body is reported to have bipartisan political support for its amendments, which are considered overdue as Ireland looks to revamp its existing industry regulatory framework.

Leading the mandate, Stanton states that he will speak to k industry leadership on the creation of a new regulatory body, seeking to gain a fair representation of all Irish gambling stakeholders.

Sharon Byrne Chair of the Irish Bookmakers Association welcomed the initiative to create a new regulator for Irish betting.  Stanton will seek to deliver the regulatory body’s first draft by end of 2018.

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