Establishment of the Irish Gambling Regulator in 2021

An optimistic start to 2021 for the Irish gambling industry, with recent media reports indicating that the long awaited Gambling Regulator will be established by the summer of 2021.

In a recent media interview, the Minister of State with responsibility for gambling reform at the Department of Justice and Equality, James Browne T.D., indicated that the office of the Irish Gambling Regulator will be established by summer of this year, with legislation to follow.

This ties in with comments made by the previous Minster with responsibility for gambling reform, David Stanton, that the Regulator would be established in "sleep mode" in 2021 before any new legislation is enacted. Mr Browne also stated that the government was to commit between €8 million and €12 million to fund the Regulator "in the first few years". It's intended that the Regulator will be funded by the industry after that.

While it is envisaged that the Regulator will be established by summer, it remains uncertain whether the legislation to underpin the office will be introduced before the end of this year. However, the establishment of the Regulator's office will be a positive step and should deliver some badly needed momentum to the wider reform effort going forward.

We will continue to keep you updated on developments as they occur in this area.

For further information please contact Joe Kelly, Partner, Katie O'Connor, Partner, or any member of A&L Goodbody's Betting, Gaming & Licensing team.