
Northern Ireland has taken a significant step in reforming its gambling laws to align with regulations in Great Britain. The Legislative Assembly has approved changes that relax restrictions on gaming machines, including higher stakes and prize limits. While supporters view this as a necessary modernization, others argue that the reforms lack sufficient safeguards for problem gamblers.
Changes to Northern Ireland’s Gambling Regulations
Historically, Ireland has maintained stricter gambling laws compared to Great Britain, particularly regarding gaming machines, which have been subject to lower stakes and prize caps. Additionally, Northern Ireland has lacked an independent regulatory authority, unlike Great Britain, where the Gambling Commission oversees the industry. This has led to challenges in enforcement and consumer protection.
The newly passed reforms introduce several key changes:
- Alignment with UK standards: Regulations on gaming machines will now mirror those in Great Britain.
- Higher stakes and prizes: The maximum stake for fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) will increase to £2, while the maximum prize will be capped at £500.
- New legal measures: It is now a criminal offense to allow minors to use high-stakes gaming machines, and cheating on these machines will also be penalized under the updated laws.
Government Justification for the Reforms
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons defended the regulatory changes, asserting that aligning Northern Ireland's gambling laws with Great Britain’s framework provides greater clarity and enhances oversight. He maintained that these updates would improve the industry’s transparency and prevent illegal operations. Lyons emphasized that responsible gambling remains a government priority and that the reforms mark a step toward a more structured regulatory environment.
Despite government assurances, critics remain skeptical. Opponents argue that increasing stakes without corresponding consumer protections could exacerbate gambling-related harm in Northern Ireland. Unlike Great Britain, Northern Ireland will not benefit from a statutory gambling levy, which funds research, education, and treatment (RET) programs for problem gambling.
The Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) party has voiced strong opposition to the reforms. North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston warned that Northern Ireland already has gambling addiction rates five times higher than England and that further deregulation could worsen the issue.
Gaston stated, “New gambling rules should only pass when we can be sure that the people of Northern Ireland are afforded at least the same levels of protection as those of GB.”
In Great Britain, the statutory Gambling Levy raises approximately £90-100 million annually to fund addiction treatment and research. Since Northern Ireland is not included in this framework, critics argue that increased stakes and prizes could lead to greater harm without financial provisions for addiction support.
Gaston further criticized the timing of the reforms, highlighting the absence of protections comparable to those in Great Britain. He noted that as of April 5, the Gambling Levy would begin collecting substantial sums from the gaming industry to mitigate gambling-related harm, but Northern Ireland would be excluded from this initiative.
“On 5th April, the Great Britain Gambling Levy Regulations will come into effect, taking monies from the gambling industry to pay for the socially destructive implications of gambling. Thus, while the GB rates applied in the regulations before us today will be provided in the context of the protection afforded by the Gambling Commission and the Gambling Levy, bringing in between £90 and £100 million per annum, neither will be the case in Northern Ireland,” Gaston stated.
Calls for Stronger Protections
Concerns over problem gambling in Northern Ireland have led to calls for additional consumer safeguards. Research conducted by the University of Glasgow indicates that continuous gambling activities, such as those involving high-stakes gaming machines, are linked to increased gambling-related harm. Similarly, a Bournemouth University study commissioned by GambleAware found that gaming machines were among the most harmful gambling products, with 76% of machine-exclusive gamblers experiencing problem gambling.
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan has urged the Assembly to consider additional protections, including a public health approach to tackling gambling harm. The Assembly has already passed a motion advocating for improved addiction treatment services and tighter advertising regulations.
McGuigan remarked, “There is evidence of the widespread unlawful operation of Electronic Gaming Machines, including Fixed Odd Betting Terminals (FOBTS), in the north. These regulations are an attempt to align gaming machine stake and prize limits with those in Britain. This is a classic example of quietly closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.”
McGuigan also stressed the importance of proper enforcement, questioning who would ensure bookmakers comply with the updated regulations.
Despite the passage of these reforms, discussions continue regarding potential future measures. The possibility of a land-based gambling levy for Northern Ireland is under consideration, though no immediate plans have been announced. The Northern Ireland Assembly has yet to review the 57 recommendations from Stormont’s All-Party Group (APG) on modernizing gambling laws and consumer protections.
As Northern Ireland moves forward with these regulatory changes, debates over the effectiveness of safeguards and the potential consequences of increased stakes and prizes remain ongoing.
Source:
''Northern Ireland seeks to modernise gambling laws'', sigma.world, January 31, 2025.