Northern Ireland minister proposes code of practice for gambling venues
Deirdre Hargey, who is leading the amendment of Northern Ireland’s gambling laws, has announced a series of proposed new measures.
UK.- Northern Ireland’s communities minister Deirdre Hargey has called on the Stormont Assembly to support a series of proposals to update the territory’s legislation for land-based gambling venues. The 1985 – Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Bill would relax opening hours but also introduce new regulations.
The first amendment to Northern Ireland’s gambling legislation in 35 years reached assembly in September. It would implement changes to consumer protections and requirements for land-based gambling venues. A second phase of new legislation to follow will look at the online gambling sector.
Hargey’s proposed changes include the introduction of a mandatory code of practice for land-based gambling venues. Hargey has opened a consultation to define the requirements that the code would include.
However, it is likely that it will include a ban on credit card transactions and reverse withdrawals, plus requirements for age verification and tighter controls on FOBTs. Hargey said compliance with the code would be a licence condition.
She said: “I am determined to drive up standards in the industry and make operators take greater responsibility for the harm caused to some customers.”
The bill would also introduce a statutory levy to fund safer gambling programmes and there would be new penalties for operators who allow children to gamble or to enter gambling venues. Meanwhile, the definition of cheating would be expanded with gambling contracts being made enforceable under Northern Irish law.
Some restrictions on promotional prize competitions would be removed under the bill, while bookmakers and bingo halls would be allowed to open Sundays and Good Friday.
The Republic of Ireland has also introduced proposed new gambling legislation that would bring in a ban on credit card gambling while creating a new national regulator.
