EGBA backs Irish legislative report calling on Govt. to create specific regulations for gambling

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) released a statement Wednesday welcoming the Irish Parliament’s Justice Committee’s recently published pre-legislative scrutiny report on the Government’s General Scheme of the Gambling Regulation Bill, which intends to overhaul the country’s gambling regulations. The report includes recommendations for the Government to consider in its final deliberations on the Bill, presented last year.

“EGBA particularly welcomes the Committee’s recommendations that the incoming gambling authority should publish regular data about the country’s gambling market and that regulator-established codes of conduct should apply to all gambling operators," the Association wrote. 

Ireland is currently one of the two European Union countries without specific, dedicated regulations for online gambling. EGBA pronounced itself in the statement as a full supporter of the Government’s ongoing efforts to establish online gambling regulations, fit for the digital age. 

“EGBA welcomes the progress made so far and further encourages the Government to look to the best practices from those EU member states which have well-established and well-functioning gambling regulations," a statement further reads.

The Committee’s report will now be sent to the Minister of State for Justice, James Browne TD, for his consideration, with a finalized bill expected later this year. EGBA stated it looks forward to continuing “a constructive, evidence-based dialogue with the Minister, Departmental officials, members of the parliament and other stakeholders as the bill progresses."

Maarten Haijer, Secretary General, EGBA, commented: “We thank the Committee for its report and willingness to gather and consider stakeholder input during its deliberations. A collaborative approach is crucially important because it is in the interest of all stakeholders for Ireland to have a well-regulated gambling market."

"But there is also no need to completely reinvent the wheel: most EU member states already have well-established gambling regulations, and we encourage the Irish authorities to look to these for best practices," Haijer added.