Irish government approves new measures to control the local gaming industry

The Irish government announced new measures to control the local gaming industry.

Authorities are set to publish the full law in the upcoming weeks, although the conditions were revealed on Tuesday by the local press. The Irish Cabinet passed on the 11th of July the Courts and Civil Liabilities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.

According to the new regulation, the minimum age to participate in gaming platforms and venues would be 18 years old. The bill also adds several amendments to the current Gaming and Lotteries Act from 1956. New measures would not take effect until the government officially releases the full legislation.

Currently, 16-year-old citizens are able to enter to gaming venues, such as carnivals, circuses, amusement halls, arcades, funfairs, which offer different entertainment services including slot machines and sports betting events. Furthermore, the Courts and Civil Liabilities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill proposes measures to regulate the sporting club lottos and raffles sectors.

The Bill has been delayed for an extended period of time due to ‘complexities’ in its implementation, however the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the heads of the Bill are due to be introduced in the next Dáil session.

“This is an important issue. It is also important the Government puts in place a proper regulatory structure around gambling, both to regulate an industry from which many people get much pleasure but also one which gives rise to people becoming addicted, impoverished and unwell as a consequence. Legislation in this area is long overdue,” commented Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.