What about New, Restrictive Irish Gaming Law?

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New proposals include time delays on credit card transactions and restrictions on advertising

More news arrived this week regarding Ireland's reform of land and online gambling sectors, with a number of proposals being filed and reviewed by Justice Minister Alan Shutter.

According to him, the proposals involve time delays on the use of credit cards for online betting, restrictions on gambling advertisements (particularly having in mind those that promote gambling as fashionable or trendy), "due diligence checks" or KYC minimums on customers imposed by operators, and a 12-hour delay between when players register and when they are allowed actually to play.

Then, there were announcements of provisions that include the protection of problem gamblers, such as staff training measures and strict regulations for licensed operators, along with severe penalties for unlicensed operators who risk accessing Irish gamblers.

In addition to this, the proposals’ presenters imply that the new rules should include online confirmation of players’ identity or age or registration for PIN numbers. These changes aim to prevent underage gambling and minors using their parents’ credit cards to gamble.

The new laws, which are not to be implemented until next year, also envisage that there will be no resort-style land gambling premises, in which case plans for a Euro 460 million investment in a super casino in Tipperary will be spoiled.

However, there has been no clear indication on how Irish online betting is to be policed and regulated, which is of greatest interest to operators located offshore.