The new interim Gaming and Lotteries Act in Ireland has come into force, modernising the promotion of gaming and standardising a minimum age of 18 for all gambling products.

The interim Act has been introduced ahead of a more comprehensive overhaul of gambling regulation planned for next year.

James Browne, minister with special responsibility for gambling regulation, said: “This act modernises the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 and will help the better promotion of local gaming and lottery activity.

“These activities, held primarily for charitable and philanthropic purposes, are the lifeblood of our sporting clubs and community organisations across the country.”

The new act sets a minimum age limit of 18 for all forms of gambling, including betting on the Tote, which previously had no age limit.

It also aims to streamline and modernise the application process for gaming and lottery permits and for licences to run small-scale, local gaming and lottery activity. It also adds more consumer protection rules to the promotion of gaming products. It also directs more proceeds from lotteries go to charitable causes.

Minister Browne said: “Gambling is a large and evolving industry. It must be the subject of a modern, sensible and effective licensing and regulatory approach.

“My department is now engaged in the drafting of a general scheme of a new bill to provide for that comprehensive reform.”

The changes will not affect end-of-year draws, the minister said. Permits and licences already issued under the 1956 act will remain valid until their next renewal date.

Sportradar, the leading global provider of sports betting and sports entertainment products and services, is today pleased to confirm that the Competition Appeal Tribunal has entirely dismissed the applications made by Football DataCo and BetGenius to transfer Sportradar’s competition claim to the High Court.

As a result, the claim will now proceed to trial in the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

David Lampitt, Managing Director, Sports Partnerships at Sportradar commented: “As the Tribunal has clearly stated, the dispute manifestly depends on questions of competition law, and private law rights cannot be relied on to give effect to an exclusive agreement which violates competition law. We welcome the fact that the Competition Appeal Tribunal’s judgment has upheld Sportradar’s submissions, and that the competition law claim will proceed to be determined first and in the specialist forum.

Sportradar issued its claim against Football DataCo and BetGenius in the Competition Appeal Tribunal on 28 February 2020 and this application has caused considerable delays to those proceedings. Now that it has been refused we look forward to progressing our competition law claim to trial.”

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has published its first set of guidelines on advertising real-money gaming.

ASCI advised its members to exercise caution when promoting real money games, an advertising segment deemed to be high-risk by the watchdog.

ASIC guidelines state that members must ensure that real-money advertisers cannot promote games or services “depicting any person under the age of 18 years” – a requirement enforced across all mediums.

All real money gaming adverts must carry a “Please Play Responsibly” disclaimer, warning consumers of the associated financial risks and potential addictions – with warnings implemented across audio and video platforms.

Also, Indian broadcasters and media owners must ensure that participation in real money games is not depicted as an “income opportunity or employment option.”