Irish politics has never played a bigger part in the future of online casinos as the popularity of online gambling increases. As of now the Irish government is working on the process of revising the current legislation regulating gambling,
this means that political influence will naturally impact the legal, fiscal and, most of all, the accessibility of online gambling platforms. Irish punters and casinos are also observing how the legislation may change in the future to affect their business.
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The Present Legal Position in Ireland of Online Casinos
The present gambling laws in Ireland are not only made up of rather archaic statutes but also of more modern acts. Regarding the control of gambling, the Betting Act of 1931 can be mentioned. Nevertheless, these laws were not created with the internet as the medium for gambling hence online casinos have been operating in legal ambiguity for some years. Online betting was legalized by the Betting (Amendment) Act of 2015 but there was no specific law regulating online casinos. The Irish Revenue Commissioners demand operators to have a license and also tax revenue from Irish customers; however, there are no strict rules concerning
Regulatory Changes: What Could Happen?
At the moment the Irish government is working on the improvement of the country’s gambling legislation, with the intention of implementing the Gambling Control Bill. This bill seeks to regulate and monitor both the physical and cyber gambling operations in Ireland and is based on the principles of player protection, game fairness and rigorous compliance with the provisions of the licensing regime for gambling operators. Some of the key areas that could be impacted by future legislation include:
Stricter Licensing and Compliance Requirements: The new Gambling Control Bill is likely to impose new stringent measures on online casino operators with regard to licensing from the political powers that are within the country. It means that only those operators who can provide proof of compliance with certain criteria in relation to player protection, data protection, and responsible approach to gambling can operate in Ireland. New authorities such as a new authority to be created namely the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) would be responsible for the regulation of the industry, setting guidelines and punishing defaulters.
Advertising Restrictions: The restriction of online gambling has been one of the most hotly debated political topics concerning the internet in Ireland. The rise of gambling ads in television, radio, and the internet has created concerns on its impacts to sensitive groups such as young people. It is expected that the new law will provide for provisions against or at least control the timing of advertising by online casinos, and some forms of advertisements that are considered to promote gambling.
Player Protection and Responsible Gambling: Among the main topics that will be discussed in the next changes, the question of player protection will be considered. Problem gambling has become an emerging issue in Ireland and; therefore, there is a need to enhance the protective measures against gambling addiction. New measures are expected to include measures on self-exclusion, deposit limits and other information on risks of gambling.
Taxation and Economic Impact: Online casinos in Ireland will also have to battle with taxation in the future. The Irish government may increase the tax on the income from gambling to increase revenue for the delivery of social services, primarily health and education. This may, in turn, lead to enhanced costs of running an online casino which in turn may have an impact on the offers and promotions offered to the players. But if the online gambling industry is properly and effectively controlled and if it is generating good revenues then it can also be helpful for the economy of Ireland in terms of tax and employment.
Political Parties and Potential Gambling Policies
There are various political parties in Ireland and each of the parties has its position concerning the legal Framework of online gambling.
On the one hand, there are those who believe that stronger measures should be put in place to protect the players, on the other hand there are these who see the business opportunity in the expansion of the gambling industry. For instance, some members of the Green Party and some independent politicians have demanded stricter advertising rules and tougher measures against problem gambling, stating that online casinos affect people’s mental health and certain sections of society.
On the other hand, business parties give much emphasis on the fact that there should be proper regulatory environment that will foster investment growth in the sector yet at the same time ensuring fairness. It will be interesting to watch these political debates and decisions on these issues and how they will affect the future of online gambling in Ireland.