The focus of the GRAI is on public safety and its remit covers both retail and online gambling. It has the responsibility of approving licences under the new regime and will also regulate lotteries, with the exception of the national lottery.
The GRAI was established as part of the new Gambling Regulation Act 2024, which was passed by the Irish parliament on 16 October 2024. During these early stages the GRAI put out a public note seeking a chairman and board members, as well as licensing experts to lead regulations.
GRAI taps regulatory and healthcare experts to fill roles
Announcing its formal launch this week, the regulator reported seven staff members had been appointed to its board. This is being led by Paul Quinn, former CEO of the nation’s government procurement office.
Celine Craig, a former media commissioner, and Rita Purcell, the current deputy CEO of international and legal at the health products regulatory authority, have been appointed to roles within the GRAI, as has current senior psychologist and clinical lead for the Irish healthcare’s mid-west addiction services, Dr Colin O’Driscoll.
Anne-Marie Caulfield was appointed as GRAI’s CEO back in 2022 to help set up the regulator and guide its creation. Caulfield will remain in the CEO role long term.
“Today marks a new era for the regulation of gambling in the Irish state,” Ireland’s minister for justice, Jim O’Callaghan, said in a statement yesterday.
“[The gambling act] is designed to meet the challenges of gambling responsibly in 21st century Ireland, providing clarity for operators and for consumers and taking a responsible approach to balancing the freedom to gamble with the safeguards to protect people from falling prey to addiction.”
How will the GRAI be funded?
During the final parliamentary debates in October, parliament members raised concerns about the role of the regulator and how much power they would actually exert over the gambling industry.
But the bill’s rapporteur deputy, James Browne, assured the house of the GRAI’s regulatory powers and reiterated that the industry will fund the regulatory entity.
“I can assure the deputy that this regulatory authority will not be toothless or fruitless. It will be a very powerful regulatory authority. It will regulate an industry that we estimate is worth €6 billion,” he told the house.
“The regulatory authority will be funded by the industry by way of levies. The impact on the taxpayer once it is up and running should be zero.”
Gambling Regulation Act 2024
Ireland’s new gambling legislation has also come into force today and hosts a raft of measures that aim to regulate gambling and reduce problematic gambling.
The 2024 bill repeals a number of existing gaming laws and brings together Irish gambling legalisation under one framework.
Under the Gambling Regulation Act, operators are prohibited from taking credit card or credit facility payments. The placement of ATM machines in gambling locations is also banned.
The act prohibits inducement measures commonly taken by operators such as VIP treatment, free bets, free credit and free hospitality.
A national gambling exclusion register that allows any person to exclude themselves from specific gambling activities or indeed from all operators will also be launched under the GRAI’s authority.
Social media advertising has also been restricted and adults will have to opt in to receive marketing communications.
TV and radio advertisements are prohibited between 5.30am and 9pm to protect children. The sale of clothing with gambling branding to children, or at events where children are present, is also banned.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/gaming/gaming-regulation/ireland-ushers-new-regulator-into-force-as-gambling-law-goes-live/
