Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
THERE IS NO agreed timeline in place to activate new, strict gambling regulations despite a watchdog agency for the industry being established by the government this month, The Journal has learned.
This means the majority of global gambling companies set up in Ireland, some of which turned over billions of euro in profit last year, are not legally required to follow any new laws and remain, largely, unregulated.
The Journal understands that although no formal inaugural meeting of the Gambling Regulation Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has been held yet, a meeting of the new members was scheduled for Friday.
Head of the new agency, Anne Marie Caulfield, has previously stated that the new rules will be introduced on a “phased basis” but a spokesperson said this week that the watchdog’s licensing and regulation work will not begin fully for a number of months.
Strict new laws were broadly approved in the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 by the Oireachtas in October last year. The legislation was welcomed by experts who claimed the industry needs to be better controlled.
While efforts have been made by some companies in the industry to fulfil the incoming requirements, they are under no obligation to do so because their licences pre-date the regulations and the laws have yet to be formally enacted.
Additionally, a spokesperson has confirmed to The Journal that companies in possession of valid gambling licences under the old legal framework – operated by the Revenue Commission – are outside the remit of the GRAI’s control until a renewal is granted under the new system.
This means if a company’s license is renewed in the immediate future will still not be required to follow the new laws as the GRAI is only authority permitted to grant credentials under the regulations.
Among the measures to be introduced is a ban on free betting opportunities for individual users, a ban on the use of credit cards to lodge money into gambling accounts and stricter regulations on advertising.
A fund to help those with problem gambling habits will also be established and companies will be required to verify the identity of their users through requesting photo identification.
The law will also make it an offence for users to create gambling accounts for those under the age of 18.
However, the only section of the law that has been enacted is the legislation activating and formally establishing the regulatory body, the GRAI. This means the industry is in no way legally required to make operational changes at this time.
In a statement issued by Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan and the GRAI the day before the legislation came into effect, the names of the regulator’s board were announced and it was claimed that their preparatory work would begin from 5 March.
A number of gambling companies, ahead of large sporting events and horse racing competitions such as Cheltenham, have continued to advertise online and on television and offered their punters free betting opportunities.
Over the past week, The Journal reporters were – on three separate online gambling websites operated by companies with valid licences in the Republic of Ireland – not asked to prove their identity after making an account for the purpose of this article.
Upon registering the account, one reporter was also offered a number of ‘rewards’ as well as ‘bonus’ and ‘free’ betting opportunities.
Experts have previously warned that these practices can lead to problem gambling habits and risk giving children access to gambling. Under the regulations, companies will no longer be able to offer targeted free betting opportunities for individuals.
When approached for comment, a spokesman for the GRAI explained that it could not comment on the operations of companies that are in possession of licences issued to it under the previous licensing framework.
The spokesman said the regulator has not begun any licensing work, adding that it would be doing so “in the coming months”. Under the act, he added, the GRAI controls when each part of the new legislation commences.
Asked for a detailed timeline for the commencement of remaining parts of the legislation, including licensing, the spokesman said the regulator has yet to have its first formal meeting and, has not yet agreed or discussed deadlines to implement the new rules.
He added: “The obligations set out in the Act, as well as the enforcement powers of the Gambling Regulator, apply exclusively to licensees under the new regulatory framework.”
This means companies, despite years of work by advocates and politicians to get a hold on the unregulated, multi-billion euro industry, are in no way required to comply with the laws at this time.
“Once licensing formally commences in the coming months, all applicants will be subject to rigorous and comprehensive checks,” the spokesman said.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
A let them eat cake moment by Humphreys
“Homes are not for HOUSING people, if everyone could have a home then they’d have NO VALUE” – HH.
“The 32,000 hidden HOMELESS people? Someone please think of the HOUSE PRICES for crying out loud” – HH.
“Things could always be worse” says Heather Humphreys.
Things could always be better too or have we forgotten?
I was reading that an 18 year old caught driving at 160 kph didn’t even get a driving ban. The judicial system in this country is a joke. Why bother obeying any traffic laws. A small fine will see you OK. I honestly don’t know how judges completely overlook the seriousness of an offence when a solicitor who is unsworn, can give evidence on behalf of his client, which doesn’t have to be ( and usually isn’t) true.
@Patrick MC Dermott: What do you expect from Judges who have been appointed by Politican’s your old buddies in FFG.
@David Murray: They are not my buddies! I disown evey one of them.
What do they expect with the lack of rental accommodation when they refuse to acknowledge the elephant in the room?
Air BnB.
Keep voting ffg and all the issues will remain, you may think it’s OK because we own property,, but greed and fear is what ffg are based on , be brave the next time you vote add a little spice in your life
Those people in sleeping bags in doorways are not homeless, theyre just urban camping or else a doorway is categorised as a home maybe? Thanks HH, there was me thinking they were homeless. So no homeless crisis,problem solved .
Stephen donnelly really starting to look like a villain in a marvel movie….
@bruce banner: Haha…a cone headed Thanos.
No, they are not living on the streets but euphemistically “living on hard concrete” seriously.
That’s great was will they raise they’re children in bedsits so while working 40 hour weeks to no avail. The solution is bring more people into the country that’ll solve it definitely help with demand anyway.
Out with the blueshrts.
She needs to start looking after our own homeless not other countries who come here
Should she not mention that the numbers in Emergency Accommodation is approximately 45,000 people when you include 30,000 IPAS applicants.
Arguably one of the biggest decisions affecting Ireland is the EU Migration Pact and amazingly barely a whisper of news about it here on The Journal, why is that I wonder, it’s high relevant to this news story for example.
HH is correct and just stating facts, many people and families are declared homeless and accomadated in hotels and other places at the States expense. In fact many hope to jump the housing que by declaring homelessness. As for those actually on the streets, it’s not everybody that is homeless.
She’s right though
@Dave F Sov: People don’t seem to read the article, or if they do they ignore what was actually said and replace it with what they want to see. She was asked about homelessness and the amount of families that are homeless, and it’s a disgrace alright. But she quite rightly pointed out that homeless doesn’t necessarily mean on the street. ALL homeless people are offered emergency accommodation, and families with kids are prioritised. When you read the comment sections here and elsewhere you’d think they were all sleeping on the street. Again the homeless situation is a disgrace in Ireland but getting angry about fake things is a waste of time and energy. Focus on the facts.
@Gearoid MacEachaidh: but they are on the streets. A lot of families are pushed out of b&bs , hostels etc during the day, only being allowed to sleep there in the evening.
@Gearoid MacEachaidh: yes indeed she should.focus on the facts
This same woman claimed there was now over 2000 extra Garda on the streets recently
When Ben Scallan drilled down into it ,she was beaten into submission of the paltry figure of just 16 ACTUAL extra Garda
So yes focus on the FACTS INDEED
@Aidan Butler: they are not sleeping on the streets. That’s what I said.
@Chris: you sure that was her and not Helen McEntee? Either way nothing at all to do with this story or my comment
@Gearoid MacEachaidh: But they are on the streets. Imagine being up all night with a sick child & then turfed out to shelter from the rain all day until you are all allowed back inside your emergency accomodation.
This one is absolutely disgusting.This one would love to hang poor people.
,i live alone have no family,worked until i got a virus in 2019,went into the brain,ive ended up wit 5 autoimmunes GP and Consultant wrote letter 4new foam mattress and a recliner chair,I applied,give all my details,I pay the credit union 75 a week,I can’t survive since this inflation,I had 1300 in the credit union,and 214 in my bank account,I put in a price for 500 for a mattress,I could have went for a lot dearer,the recliner was 350,I got 500 put into my account,I didn’t get the letter until the day after,I ordered the mattress,in the letter 150 for a mattress and 350 for the chair,so I appealed it,told the 1300,i can buy 1,car insurance 590 last week,the house needs work doing,she saying once of payment to help,it would have all went into house,I’d ave receipts,did anyone get it
Weres the orange man John Mulligan.He should be in here backing the blueshrts up.I think his slipping up
Give that bass drum plenty of a pounding passing the chapel there pat Hazzard.
have your say