The long-delayed Gambling Regulation Bill has made it to the committee stage as Ireland seeks to update its current century-old laws.
The Dáil Éireann has resumed discussions on the Gambling Regulation Bill (GRB), a sweeping piece of legislation which, if passed, is set to replace the outdated Betting Act of 1931. Originally sanctioned in November 2022, the GRB has experienced long delays, with no progress at all since July 2023, despite pressure from campaigners and lawyers. If passed, the GRB will provide a robust regulatory framework governing all forms of gambling in Ireland, including retail, online, horse racing and lotteries.
When the Bill was first introduced in 2022, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, a keen supporter of the legislation, commented: “This long awaited and much needed Bill takes a responsible approach to balancing the freedom to gamble with the safeguards to protect people from falling prey to addiction.”
