Ireland signals gambling advertising rules will start when practicable
Regulation1 min read
Ireland’s Department of Justice says it wants remaining Gambling Regulation Act provisions, including gambling advertising restrictions, commenced as soon as legal and operational requirements permit. The Act’s advertising rules, including a proposed 5:30 am to 9 pm restriction, have not yet taken effect; the department said it could not give a start date, and some inducement rules may still be detailed through regulations.
Ireland’s Department of Justice wants remaining gambling law provisions, including advertising restrictions, brought into force as soon as legal and operational requirements allow. The department said it could not provide a start date for the advertising provisions.
A pending measure would restrict gambling advertising from 5:30 am to 9 pm. The department said the uncommenced advertising provisions of the 2024 Act mainly concern GRAI licensees.
Inducements offered by licensees to individuals or specific groups are generally barred under current legislation. The Act allows the justice minister to regulate conditions for some promotions and their delivery.
The Gambling Regulation Act became law in October 2024, with implementation proceeding in stages. Some provisions depend on the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland first enrolling operators in its licensing system. The regulator started granting licences for remote betting and betting intermediaries in July; Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan must still commence the advertising provisions and inducements ban.
The department said work on commencing provisions of the Act was ongoing between the minister and the attorney general’s office.