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Overview of gambling industry in Ireland
Gambling is more than a popular pastime in Ireland. It is a multi-billion dollar industry employing more than 6,000 people across thousands of bookmakers, casinos, and gaming arcades. In fact, the gambling industry is one of the largest in the country, with punters betting more than €5 billion a year.
The surging popularity of gambling could be attributed to the luck of the Irish, but more likely, the recent changes in legislation that permitted the introduction of online casinos. Today, the Irish have 24/7 access to online betting and gaming services for the first time in the country’s history.
How has Ireland’s gambling industry reached such heights, and what laws are set to mix up your wagers in 2018? Read on to uncover how history has shaped the modern gambling industry in Ireland.
History of legislation in Ireland’s gambling industry
Gambling has permeated Irish life since the Middle Ages when stakes were placed on popular stick-and-ball games like hurling and medieval board games like Fidchell. However, it was not until the 16th and 17th century that gambling really took off in the Emerald Isle.
There were three key reasons behind this. Firstly, increasing levels of alcohol consumption and the opening of public houses in Dublin, which provided a setting for card games. Secondly, horse racing was established as an official sport with a calendar of race meetings and a regulatory body called the Society of Sportsmen. Thirdly, the presence of the English rule, which left governing the country to landlords, who did little to control gambling activities.
Introduction of betting legalisation
Ireland gained independence from Britain in 1922 following a three-year civil war. With the eventual establishment of the Irish Free State, the Government had the power to manage the country’s affairs and soon began taking steps to regulate the gambling industry.
The first legislation to regulate gambling in Ireland was the Betting Act 1926. The act aimed to address the unregulated horse racing industry and stipulated that anyone taking bets on sporting events would require a government-issued licence. Five years later, to meet the growing needs of the bookmaking industry, the act was repealed by the Betting Act 1931. This act relaxed specific prohibitions on commercial betting set out in the Betting Act 1853, a British law, which was still in effect at the time.
The Betting (Amendment ) Act 2015
Since its introduction, more than 90 years ago, the Betting Act 1931 has undergone several updates. However, the most significant update came recently with the enactment of the Betting (Amendment ) Act 2015. The act legalised online and remote gambling in Ireland for the first time in history.
According to the act, all remote bookmakers and betting agencies who take bets from customers based in Ireland are required to obtain licensing before accepting any wagers from people residing in Ireland.
Introduction of gaming legislation
Historically, gaming and lotteries in Ireland have been regulated primarily by the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956. The act prohibited all forms of unlawful gambling unless the gambling fell under very limited exemptions.
Under the act, casinos were made illegal across the country, while lotteries were permitted to a narrow extent. To be considered legal, lotteries were required to hold a specific lottery license, have small prize limits, and be carried out with the predominant purpose of fundraising for charities or philanthropy. The act did not apply to the tremendously lucrative Irish National Lottery, which almost 44 per cent of the population play regularly.
An era of underground gambling
A loophole in the 1956 Act led to the establishment of exclusive members’ clubs across the country that offered gambling services under the provision that card-playing was legal in a private dwelling. These unregulated clubs were effectively casinos behind closed doors, offering slot machines, roulette, blackjack, and more. Luckily, the safety of the players is not an issue today, as the transparency of the internet allows for unbiased reviews of virtually every online casino.
Ineffective enforcement occurred when left to local authorities, which also saw gaming machines illegally set up at in amusement parks and travelling carnivals. Some gaming machines were able to accept €500 notes, despite the legislation setting a maximum stake of 6d.
Of even greater concern to those who win big, the 1956 Gaming and Lotteries Act includes the exemption that states gambling debts cannot be enforced. Under this law, gamblers can not only defend the right to pay a debt in court, but bookmakers and online gambling services can also deny paying out a win. In March 2017, a Dublin-based casino was not required to pay €11,000 to a roulette winner, under a judge’s ruling at the Circuit Civil Court. Earlier in June of 2015, a judge of the High Court ruled that a UK gaming company could not collect €118,058 as the funds due were determined a gambling debt.
Gambling Control Bill
Fortunately, a review of the act was undertaken in 2008, following growing criticism the laws were outdated and poorly enforced. In 2013, parliament passed the Gambling Control Bill, which proposed a new regulatory framework for gambling in the 21st century. The Bill, although not yet enacted, will replace all existing legislation, including the Betting Act 1931 and the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956. It will bring all types of betting under the one unified body and legalise both online and land-based gambling.
This is excellent news for the online betting agencies and the casino industry, which will be able to operate legally. However, only 40 casino licences are permitted in Ireland at any one time, and super-casinos (those with greater than 15 gaming tables and 25 gaming machines ) will not be allowed.
The new legislation is set to follow the UK and focus on ensuring the gambling industry is conducted in a fair manner that protects vulnerable persons. As such a new regulatory office will be introduced, called the Office for Gambling Control Ireland, which will be responsible for issuing licenses and ensuring compliance with the Bill. The impact the Bill will have on taxes is unclear at this stage. Currently, a 23 per cent VAT fee applies to electronically supplied gaming revenue, and a one per cent turnover tax is payable on bets placed with land-based and online bookmakers.
What is in store for 2018?
Almost five years have passed since the Gambling Control Bill was published in 2013; however its full effect has yet to be seen. According to recent reports, a new general scheme of the Bill is set to be published by the end of the year. Either way, with a robust and modern overhaul of legalisation, Ireland’s gambling future looks bright.
Source: advertiser.ie
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Saroca Unveils the Transformational Leadership Program for 2025
Saroca Reimagines Leadership Development for the Gaming Industry
Saroca, a leader in professional development for the gaming industry, is proud to announce its Transformational Leadership Program, launching February 2025. Building on the success of the 2024 LeadHERship Program—a pioneering initiative for women in gaming—the new program expands its reach with two distinct cohorts: one exclusively for women and another open to all genders.
The Legacy of LeadHERship
The 2024 LeadHERship Program achieved an exceptional Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 90, with participants citing transformative growth. With participants like Clemence Dujardin citing it as a “game-changer”. Confidence in leadership abilities rose by 46%, resilience increased by 27%, and imposter syndrome diminished by 39%.
Participants praised the program’s focus on emotional resilience, feedback mastery, executive presence and communication all in a supportive community.
Leadership Development: A Game-Changer for Gaming
In a rapidly evolving and diversifying industry, strong leadership is essential. Saroca’s programs go beyond skill-building to foster resilience, trust, and inclusivity—key traits for thriving in the global gaming market.
“We believe leadership is not about hierarchy—it’s about transformation,” said Emily Leeb, CEO of Saroca. “The Transformational Leadership Program reflects our commitment to cultivating leaders who will shape the future of gaming.”
Transformational Leadership Program Highlights
The program builds on the proven curriculum of its predecessor, featuring:
- Two Cohorts: A women-only cohort and a new all-gender cohort to enrich perspectives.
- Eight Modules: Covering topics such as emotional intelligence, self-advocacy, and radical candor.
- Community and Growth Tracking: Strengthening connections and measuring individual progress.
Registration Now Open
The Transformational Leadership Program begins in February 2025, with limited spots available. Scholarships are also offered to ensure accessibility. For more information, visit Saroca’s website or contact [email protected].
About Saroca
Saroca is a leader in leadership development for the gaming industry, committed to empowering professionals through inclusive, high-impact programs that drive personal and professional growth.
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Play’n GO announces partnership with Austrian state lottery operator Win2Day
Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has today announced a partnership with Austrian state lottery operator Win2Day.
This partnership sees legendary titles from the Swedish-founded gaming giant, such as Reactoonz, Rise of Olympus, and Rich Wilde and the Tome of Madness live on Win2Day’s platform for players to enjoy.
As of November 2024, Play’n GO offers a portfolio of over 350 premium titles in over 30 jurisdictions worldwide.
Tove Aldefors, Head of Regional Sales Central and Western Europe at Play’n GO, said “It’s exciting to launch our games with the Austrian state lottery, and Win2Day are the perfect partner for our brand. They share our beliefs about a regulated, sustainable, player entertainment-led industry. We’re looking forward to many years of success working together.”
Georg Wawer, Managing Director win2day, added “We are the only licensed operator in Austria. Therefore our objective is to provide all major igaming operators on our platform. Play’n GO is one of the international powerhouses and therefore we are delighted to be able to offer their content on our platform. We view Play’n GO as a competent and responsible partner for win2day and we’re confident this partnership will prove fruitful.”
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Week 47/2024 slot games releases
Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming
Introducing Magawa vs Mines, the debut game from Slammer Studios – a fresh new player in the industry. With the launch of this vibrant 7×7 slot, the studio is kicking things off in style. Inspired by the legendary Magawa, a rat whose life-saving landmine detection skills have earned worldwide acclaim, this game pays tribute to this incredible hero. With Magawa vs Mines, players get to honour the courage of an extraordinary rat, reliving his daring missions through high-energy gameplay.
Spinomenal has added Zeus Unchained Hold & Hit to its marvellous Mythology series. Zeus Unchained Hold & Hit presents a grid framework of 5×3 and is set at 25 fixed lines. Once the action is underway, players join Zeus, the ancient Greek god of sky and thunder for a battle on the reels. A powerful soundtrack heightens the anticipation as players look for Wild symbols on screen.
Betsoft Gaming brings players to the heights of Mount Olympus with Coins of Zeus – Hold & WinTM, an engaging video slot with a 3×3 grid and 5 paylines set in a stunning Ancient Greek theme. From immersive visuals to thrilling gameplay features, Coins of Zeus – Hold & WinTM brings mythology to life, delivering divine entertainment and win potential.
BGaming is helping players hunt for ancient treasures in its latest release Catdiana. Boasting two purr-fect bonus games, the gameplay is further enhanced through cat-themed scatters, coveted coins and high-value gem symbols. The 5×3 reel action unfolds deep within a mystical cat temple where Catdiana goes on the prowl, performing as a wild to guide players to hidden treasures and big wins.
Tom Horn Gaming, a leading igaming software supplier, has unveiled its latest game, Wild Snowfakes, just in time for the winter season. A winter-themed slot transports players to a serene snowy wonderland filled with excitement and rewards. This medium-to-high variance game is played across a 5×3 gaming grid, populated with frosty fruit symbols and snowflakes, which act as wilds.
Evoplay, the award-winning game development studio, has revealed its latest immersive slot, Dolce Dreams, offering a sweet twist on the classic Italian café culture, with the experience designed for high engagement and substantial win potential. Set against the backdrop of a charming streetside cafe, Dolce Dreams features stacked Wilds in the form of waffle ice creams, which substitute for other symbols to maximise winning combinations.
Relax Gaming is taking players on an exhilarating snowy adventure with the launch of Winter Champions, a sports-themed slot that propels players through the mountain tops in pursuit of golden victories. At the heart of Winter Champions is the innovative Sliding Respins mechanic, ensuring the reels remain active as long as winning combinations continue to land, adding a layer of non-stop excitement to the gameplay.
Nolimit City is serving up a twisted carnival treat in Munchies. Step into the fair grounds as Nolimit’s latest Labs game released following the release of Outsourced: Slash Game. As a Labs title, expect a fresh and experimental spin on the classic Nolimit style. In the heart of the carnival tents lies a curious attraction: Fluffers—a cute, cuddly, but oh-so-smelly creature that’s causing quite the commotion among visitors. Some may say it’s the attraction of the year!
Thunderkick has unveiled Split Happens, the latest addition to its product portfolio that combines a quirky bowling theme with Walking Wilds and respins to provide a unique and compelling gaming experience. The action takes place across a classic 5×3 grid, where winning combinations can be formed both ways to help unlock 3,000x maximum wins.
Amusnet has released its latest video slot, 10 Bulky Fruits. It is not an ordinary fruit slot but a dazzling, energetic and exciting game. This is a 5-reel, 10-fixed paylines video slot that offers vivid gameplay, epic sound effects and a variety of features. Keep an eye out for the Clover Wild Symbol and its great rewards – it appears on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th reel. The Star and the Dollar are the shiny Scatter symbols boosting the winnings.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and Booming Games are getting in the spirit early with the November arrival of their fresh, festive game, Holly Jolly Bonanza 2. ‘Tis the season for snowy slots, and just like Santa Claus himself, Holly Jolly Bonanza 2 delivers in style. This sparkling sequel is a sure-fire Christmas classic, a 5×6 game with cascading reels, introducing new features to the festive game.
How deep do you dare to descend in Yellow Slotmarine by Twin Win Games – the exciting new slot where cash prizes can be accumulated and collected on any base game spin, but three bomb symbols are always lurking to potentially blow players out of the water. Utilising just three reels and one row of symbols, Yellow Slotmarine introduces a completely new mechanic where every character that lands contributes towards a specific cash pot.
Gaming Corps is proud to announce the release of Wet and Wild Beavers. This charming new slot game also marks the debut of the exciting new A-MAZE-CADES™ mechanic. This playful adventure takes players down to the river, where a team of ingenious beavers plot their daring escape by the riverbank. Follow Red Rocket, Old Blue and Yella Fella as they utilise a series of creative bonus features to escape the dam and get their hands on wins of up to 10,000x the player’s stake.
Explore a prosperous underwater world and harness the power of the formidable Greek God of the Sea Poseidon in Stakelogic’s latest release, Trident of Legends. This enchanting aquatic adventure invites players to tap into the awe-inspiring power of the mythical Poseidon as they embark on a quest for fortune. With Poseidon’s legendary Trident in hand, players can trigger enticing bonuses while playing for wins of up to 10,000x their stake.
Play’n GO invites players to join the Wilde family in Wildest Gambit, a globe-trotting 5×3 slot that combines adventure, mystery, and massive win potential with an x20,000 Multiplier. Wildest Gambit unites the legendary Wilde family – Rich, Cat, and Uncle Gerard – in an epic journey across four unique destinations. From the golden sands of Egypt to the dense jungles of South America, players will experience a dynamic blend of Expanding, Sticky, and Multiplier Wilds.
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