Complications delay the legislation allowing Ireland to have its own gaming regulator to 2021 

Almost two years ago, Ireland touched upon the subject of having its own regulator. The lengthy aspect of the project was naturally anticipated but the original target date was supposed to be around the end of this year, which is something that is not realistic anymore especially due to the significant global shift in priorities due to COVID-19.  

Ireland’s justice Minister Helen McEntee said that “given the size, complexity and technological development of the modern gambling industry and having regard to the outdated and complex arrangements, it will be important that the regulator will be established on a strong footing and adequately resourced to carry out this important task.”  

The complexity and outdatedness of the bill is due to the fact that it was created in 1931 and amended for the first time in 1951, so naturally the government felt it would make more sense to take their time and craft an updated and revised Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill as it is being called now. Nonetheless the government gives a “clear commitment”, as the Minister herself stated, to the establishing of a gambling regulator, also stating how public safety and well-being remain a priority.  

The country is already home to one of the most famous gambling operators, Flutter Entertainment, the company that owns Paddy Powers and Betfair, so of course there is a lot of anticipation for this shift in legislation. McEntee emphasized the importance of dealing with things accordingly and in the best way possible saying hot ‘it will be important that the regulator will be established on a strong footing and adequately resourced to carry out this important task’.  

About SiGMA Europe – Malta

SiGMA Group has announced the postponement of its Europe summit, which was planned to be held in Malta on 17-19 November 2020. The show will now open its doors early next year in February, running from the 16-18th, making it the first event to headline the 2021 gaming calendar.