Irish Gambling Authority Review

Ireland uses a variety of ways to regulate various forms of gambling over the past centuries. Gambling in the country gets controlled by the Irish Gambling Authority. Which base rules on four laws. These include the National Lottery Act of 2013. The Gaming and Lotteries Acts of 1956 up to 2013. The two other laws are the Totalisator Act of 1956. Which is amended and the Betting Act of 1931 up to 2015.

There was hardly ever a casino industry in the country. Although that did change during the early 2000’s. It’s the emergence of the private member clubs that changes things. These offer gaming facilities. Even though the game options are limited. Ireland has sweepstakes. The Irish Hospital Sweepstake is running since the start of the 20th century. The state regulates the lottery since 1987. So, the national lottery has a 20-year license starting in 2014.

Online Gambling and the Irish Gambling Authority

The Irish Gambling Authority has no specific online gaming licensing regime. The Irish law prohibits the offering of online games. Also, the promotion of thereof. Most Irish players enjoy games as online casinos. Which holds licenses in Gibraltar, Alderney or Malta.

The government in Ireland are quite keen politically to update the laws to include legal online gambling. But it will encourage respectable brands to relocate or establish in the country. One of the main reasons why it will be worth it for the operators is the attractive Irish tax rates. Currently, all eGaming services have a taxable rate of 23%.

When it comes to online betting licenses, there are two categories operators could consider. Both, these permits remote operators to offer services to Irish players. Operators that are based anywhere around the globe can offer legal betting services through one or both these licenses.

Online Gambling Licenses

The remote bookmaker’s license by the Irish Gambling Authority covers the offering of online betting services. The intermediate remote betting license permits operators to offer facilities. Which allow players to wager with other operators.

There is no specific law for Gambling Products. So, it falls under the gaming and lotteries act.  In Ireland non-sports betting and sports betting are treated in the same way.

Traditional casino-style games such as roulette and blackjack are not listed. These games currently fall under the same laws at poker. Slot machines need a license per machine according to the amended finance act 1975. Under Irish law, bingo falls under the same category as the lottery.

When it comes to mobile gaming, most of the laws needs amendments to include various forms of gambling. The lawmakers are actively working to reform the laws. Although, most bills make very slow progress. Some simply get lost along the way, although in March 2019 two policy amendments took place. Big changes are on their way, although most might only take place in 2020.