Gambling Control Bill 2013 Ireland
Over six meetings between February 2018 and January 2019, the Group reviewed the provisions of the General Scheme of the Gambling Control Bill 2013 to determine if they remained fit for purpose in light of the significant developments in the gambling industry, both domestic and international, in the intervening period. Implications Of The Irish Gambling Control Bill 2013. The bill establishes a new arm of the Irish government to regulate gaming called the Office of Gambling Control Ireland (OGCI). The entity will exist within the Department of Justice and will create and enforce relevant gaming regulations. If the Irish Gambling Control Bill 2013 is. Five years ago, this week (July 15th 2013), Fine Gael Minster for Justice, Alan Shatter, published the Heads of the Gambling Control Bill. It is a progressive piece of legislation, which has the capacity to revolutionise how the gambling industry in Ireland does its business, how government regulates that business and how government and NGOs. Gambling Control Bill 2013 What is the aim of Ireland’s new gambling legislation? The Gambling Control Bill 2013 aims to provide for a comprehensive new licensing and regulatory framework for gambling both land based and online to protect the vulnerable and bring legal certainty to the sector.
By Caroline Browne, Partner
A new Bill to regularise Casinos and gambling establishments in Ireland should issue shortly.
The Cabinet, on the 9th July 2013, agreed to the general scheme of the Gambling Control Bill 2013 which should be published by the end of this week or next week. This Bill should seek to tighten the current legislation regarding the location and size of gambling establishments and the type of gambling allowed.
Historically, the issue of casinos and their legalisation has been a controversial one in Ireland. Currently, casino gaming is prohibited by section 4(1) of the Gaming & Lotteries Act 1956, as amended. A result of which casinos cannot be licensed. Nevertheless, you will be aware that there are numerous private members clubs offering, casino gaming facilities. Prosecutions for breaches of section 4(1) by the Gardaí against private clubs for unlawful gaming have been unsuccessful. Private clubs have been relying on certain ambiguities in the present law and have been replying on section 4(3) which states that
“Gaming shall not be unlawful if no stake is hazarded by the players with the promoter or banker other than a charge for the right to take part in the game, provided that:-
(a) only one such charge is made in respect of the day on which the game is played, and
(b) the charge is of the same amount for all players, and
(c) the promoter derives no personal profit from the promotion of the game”.
Gambling Control Bill 2013 Ireland 2019
The result of this section is that private clubs have been operating despite having no licence. The Bill will be looking to address this matter and that only casinos holding a licence under the new law will be permitted to operate.