Flutter takes new safer gambling measures in Ireland
The owner of the country’s biggest bookmaker Paddy Power has banned credit card transactions and will stop television ads during sports.
Ireland.- Flutter Entertainment has stepped up its safer gambling measures in the Republic of Ireland, banning credit card transactions and television ads during sports programmes.
The operator of Paddy Power, Ireland’s biggest bookmaker, will also donate 1 per cent of net gaming revenue to support problem gambling education and treatment in the country, with the aim of raising €3m by 2023.
The move comes ahead of regulatory changes in Ireland following the introduction of a bill on gambling advertising by the Irish Labour Party last week.
Meanwhile, two major Irish sports authorities, the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) have called for a national ban on gambling advertising in sport.
Delay in Irish gaming regulation
However the promised wholesale overhaul of Irish gambling regulation has been much delayed, which is why Flutter says it has decided to take its own steps to improve its safer gambling measures.
Its decision to stop advertising during sports programming will cover association football, Gaelic football, American football, hurling, rugby, tennis, boxing, athletics, basketball, darts and motorsports.
The group will continue to advertise during horse racing and greyhound racing.
Conor Grant, chief executive officer of Flutter UK and Ireland, said: “We welcome the Irish Government’s commitment to introducing gambling regulation during its lifetime. But gambling operators must act responsibly without being required to do so.
“We recognise that gambling has undergone a technological transformation over the past two decades. The influence of the smartphone, social media, and on-demand streaming has been profound.
“We understand that legislating for these developments is complex and may take some time.
“We have decided to introduce several measures, well in advance of the legislation, to enhance the effectiveness of our safer gambling policies in Ireland.”
