Irish government continues talks on gambling advertising restrictions
Regulation1 min read
Ireland’s government is discussing when to commence the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 advertising provisions, a spokesperson said. The government has not set a date for the planned ban on gambling advertisements between 05:30 and 21:00; the provisions have not yet commenced.
Government institutions are discussing a gambling advertising watershed, but there is no commitment to an exact date, a spokesperson told the Racing Post. The planned prohibition on gambling advertisements between 05:30am and 9pm has yet to be announced by Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan.
The spokesperson said the advertising provisions of the 2024 Act mainly apply to GRAI licensees and have not yet commenced. The minister for justice, home affairs and migration and the attorney general’s office are working on the commencement of provisions of the Act, the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said the Act’s safeguards depend on GRAI issuing licences and that the minister supports bringing them into force as soon as legally and operationally feasible.
The Gambling Regulations Act 2024 created the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland and envisaged strict limits on gambling advertising. Earlier in July, newly licensed remote operators were permitted to enter Ireland. Measures already in force include possible prison terms for facilitating or allowing underage gambling and extra safeguards for player payouts.