Creation of new Irish regulator postponed to 2021

A new gambling regulator was due to be created this year under the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act 2019.

Ireland.- Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has confirmed that the creation of a new gambling regulator for Ireland will not take place at least until 2021.

A new regulator is due to be created under the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act 2019, which entered into law last December.

Minister of State David Stanton previously said the new body should be in place by the end of this year.

But questioned by Fianna Fáil TD, Pádraig O’Sullivan, about whether the justice department had begun work on its creation, McEntee said she would not be moving forward with proposals to form the regulator until next year.

In a written response to O’Sullivan, McEntee said: “The Programme for Government gives a clear commitment to establish a gambling regulator focused on public safety and wellbeing, covering gambling online and in person, and the powers to regulate advertising, gambling websites and apps.

“Work is currently underway in my department on the development of the legislation to provide for the necessary modern licensing and regulatory provisions for the Irish gambling industry. I hope to bring proposals in that regard to the government next year.

“Given the size, complexity and technological development of the modern gambling industry and having regard to the current outdated and complex arrangements, it will be important that the regulator will be established on a strong footing and adequately resourced to carry out this important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 US gambling giant DraftKings recently chose Ireland to launch its first international sportsbook.