Ireland Gambling Regulation

Betting activities in Ireland have been regulated for centuries. The country has a significant history of betting on horse and greyhound races, both on-course and off-course. Ireland has regulated bookmaking activities since the 18th century under several statutes. Some of the most established bookmakers on the European market hail from Ireland, including BoyleSports and Paddy Power. Paddy Power operates the largest telephone wagering service in the country.

Lotteries are also available to Irish nationals but are governed by separate legislation. The biggest lottery here is the Irish National Lottery, which has been in operation since 1987. It provides various products to local lottery players, including scratchcards, instant-win games, and draw-based games such as Lotto, Daily Million, and EuroMillions.

Sweepstakes represent another category of legal gambling products in Ireland and date back to the first half of the 20th century. The Irish Hospitals’ Sweepstake began in 1930 as a means to collect additional funding for hospitals. It gained international recognition as tickets were made available in over 130 jurisdictions. The Sweepstake continued until the late 1980s and helped generate millions for hospitals in the country.

Unlike many other European jurisdictions, Ireland does not allow traditional, that is, commercial casino gaming. At the time of writing, there are private gaming clubs with limited gambling options, and access is restricted exclusively to club members. Some of the biggest members-only casinos in Ireland include Fitzpatrick’s Casino, Playland Casino, and Carlton Casino Club.

The country has an outdated legislative framework where casino gambling is concerned, which explains why online gaming is not expressly regulated under Irish law. However, there are still offshore gambling companies that accept registrations from Ireland.

They typically operate with foreign permits issued in jurisdictions with modern legislative systems that account for the technological advances in the gaming industry. With that said, Irish authorities have unveiled intentions to update local laws so that licensing and adequate regulation of remote gambling become possible in the country.

Laws that Regulate Sports Betting in Ireland

Several key statutes govern gambling services on the Emerald Isle. Sports wagering is regulated mainly by the Betting Act of 1931 along with its amended version in the form of the Betting (Amendment) Act of 2015 . These acts specify that no individual or business may act as a bookmaker, accept bets, or set odds unless they have been granted a license by the Irish authorities.

The newer version of the legislation also contains provisions that cover remote sportsbooks and betting intermediaries. Section 13 of the Betting (Amendment) Act of 2015 sets out the requirements for securing a bookmaking license.

Licensing Procedure for Bookmaking Permits

Pari-Mutuel Wagering

---

Licensing Procedure for Bookmaking Permits

Applicants must submit the required documentation to the Irish Revenue Commissioners. These documents should include the applicant’s name and address, as well as the address of the bookmaking shop’s premises. If an applicant is not permanently domiciled in the Republic of Ireland, they must also apply for a certificate of personal fitness with the Department of Justice.

Licenses are refused if an applicant has committed tax offenses or other crimes such as money laundering. The same applies to former license holders whose permits were revoked in the past for any reason. When all requirements are met, successful applicants typically receive their bookmaking permits within a few weeks.

A standard bookmaking license is valid for two years, so a new application is required once it expires. Bookmakers must pay a license fee of €500 and €760 for premises registration when operating brick-and-mortar betting shops.

Betting intermediaries also need permits. The amended act provides a legal definition of remote bookmakers, describing them as operators who accept sports wagers from Irish customers via remote means.

---

Pari-Mutuel Wagering

Pari-mutuel wagering is regulated under the Totalisator Act of 1929, which has undergone several amendments over the years. The legislation enabled the creation of the government-owned Irish Tote, which still holds a monopoly in the sector. All proceeds it generates are reinvested in the Irish horse racing industry.

Operating totalisator services without the proper authorization or permit is deemed illegal under the 1929 Act. Only individuals who are at least 18 years old may access the services of the Irish Tote.

To date, the Irish authorities have issued two totalisator permits – to Horse Racing Ireland and the Irish Greyhound Board. The permit granted to Horse Racing Ireland expires in the spring of 2021, but it will most likely be renewed.

The Gaming and Lotteries Act and Its Amendments

Until recently, gambling and lotteries, except those run by the National Lottery, were regulated under the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1956 . This outdated statute was amended by the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act of 2019. The amended version passed toward the end of 2019 and entered into force at the end of 2020.

The primary goal of the new legislation is to modernize the 1956 Act, while also seeking to better protect citizens from gambling harm. The changes ensure that lotteries conducted in the country contribute more funds to charitable causes.

Stake and prize limits for gaming machines were also updated. The maximum stake on such machines is now capped at €5, and prizes must not exceed €500. The 1956 provisions had limited stakes to €0.03 and payouts to €0.50.

The Amended Legislation Requirements

Private Casino Clubs in Ireland

---

The Amended Legislation Requirements

Additionally, the amended legislation requires Irish bingo halls to allocate at least 25% of their gross takings to charities and philanthropic organizations, while the remaining 75% must be paid out as prizes.

The amendments set the legal gambling age at 18, which applies to all forms of betting. The measures also provide for the creation of a new regulatory body, but its launch has been postponed to 2021.

---

Private Casino Clubs in Ireland

Commercial casino gambling is generally considered unlawful and is prohibited under Irish law. This makes it impossible to apply for a land-based casino permit, but that does not mean the country is entirely without casinos.

Some operators exploit legislative loopholes and run private clubs where membership is required before guests can access the available table games and slot machines. These private clubs must adhere to strict anti-money laundering policies under the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) (Amendment) Act of 2018.

It is also important to distinguish between gaming machines and amusement arcades. Unlike the former, amusement arcades either award nominal non-monetary prizes valued at under €7 or allow players to enjoy an extra game at no cost. Operating such arcades requires a license issued by the National Excise License Office (NELO).

Online Gambling in Ireland

Online casino gambling is not expressly regulated in Ireland. At present, there is no licensing regime, which makes it impossible for online casino operators to apply for and obtain permits from the local authorities. Nevertheless, Irish players still have options when it comes to gambling over the internet.

Gambling Operators from Offshore Locations

Gambling Taxes

---

Gambling Operators from Offshore Locations

Some online operators serve Irish gamblers from offshore locations under licenses issued in other jurisdictions such as Gibraltar, the Isle of Man, Malta, and Alderney. These jurisdictions have modern regulatory frameworks that provide strict oversight of online gambling licensees.

The Irish authorities have expressed interest in establishing a contemporary licensing system to motivate reputable online operators to set up business in the country, but these plans have not yet come to fruition. At the moment, licenses are granted only to remote bookmakers and remote betting intermediaries.

There is no restriction on the number of permits for such services, although caps can be imposed at the discretion of the Irish Revenue Commissioners, a governmental agency responsible for taxes, customs, and similar matters.

Approved candidates generally receive permits for remote betting activities within six to ten weeks, provided that all documents are in order and there are no complications. The process begins with applicants paying an initial licensing fee of €10,000.

---

Gambling Taxes

License renewal is available, but the cost varies according to the bookmaker’s turnover. It starts at €10,000 and can reach €200,000 for remote businesses whose yearly turnover exceeds €500 million. On top of these licensing fees, authorized remote bookies must also contribute a wagering duty of 2%.

As for remote betting intermediaries, they are charged a commission of 25%. The typical remote betting license expires after two years, after which operators may apply for renewal. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Ireland are generally prohibited from allowing access to unauthorized betting services.

Advertising of Gambling in Ireland

As in other countries, Ireland prohibits the marketing of unlicensed betting services. Licensed land-based betting operations are prohibited from placing any attractions or marketing materials inside or outside their shops that might encourage people to place bets. Gambling advertisements fall within the regulatory remit of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI).

Under local laws, gambling activities should not be portrayed in such a way as to encourage socially irresponsible behavior. Advertisements should not present gambling as a solution to one’s financial problems. Under no circumstances should such marketing materials feature minors or depict them participating in gambling activities. Furthermore, the ads should not contain images or other content that might appeal to children.

Such commercials should not be broadcast during programs aimed at minors, either. Endorsements by celebrities or other recognizable figures whom adolescents might hold in high regard are not allowed. Gambling advertisements are also monitored by the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland (ASAI).

Toward the end of 2020, the College Psychiatrists of Ireland demanded that gambling marketing be prohibited in sports. Professor Colin O’Gara, a specialist in gambling addiction, stressed that it is no longer possible to ignore the connection between pathological gambling and the high volume of betting-related ads. The experts fear this leads to the normalization of gambling. Some have suggested implementing a watershed prohibition. However, the Irish authorities have not yet approved these proposals.

Player Protection Policies in Ireland

The betting industry in Ireland implements a variety of measures intended to reduce gambling harm and addiction. The staff of gambling operators undergo special training so they can identify individuals who may be affected by gambling addiction. There are also reality checks that enable gamblers to set up personal reminders of their betting session durations.

Players can also set personal deposit limits for the day, week, or month. Brick-and-mortar bookmaking shops should display responsible betting messages in prominent places. Such messages are also shared via social media channels. Self-exclusion is another option offered by land-based and remote gambling operators in Ireland.

Gambling Regulators in Ireland

The supervision of gambling in Ireland is currently a responsibility of several governmental entities, starting with the Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery (ORNL). This body was founded under the National Lottery Act of 2013, which repealed earlier lottery legislation from 1986. The ORNL is tasked with strictly overseeing the services provided by the National Lottery. The regulator is also in charge of the National Lottery Fund and has the power to approve new games.

The Revenue Commissioners are responsible for issuing remote and land-based permits to sports betting operators that target the Irish market. The agency also issues licenses for the operation of gaming machines and amusement arcades. The Revenue Commissioners monitor the conduct of remote sportsbooks to make certain they are authorized and pay their taxes.

Certificates of personal fitness are issued to remote betting companies and betting intermediaries by the Irish Department of Justice and Equality (DOJE), particularly when the applicants are based outside Ireland. This governmental body monitors whether betting service providers in the country fulfill their obligations under anti-money-laundering laws.

Closing Thoughts

Ireland’s gambling industry is likely to expand in the future with the launch of the independent regulatory authority planned for 2021. This body will be tasked with a significant number of responsibilities, including the supervision of all forms of gambling, the protection of minors and vulnerable individuals, and the establishment of a social fund that aims to raise awareness and provide support for problem gamblers.

The launch will also pave the way for the creation of six distinct groups of permits: sports betting, bingo, gaming machines, lotteries, casinos, and virtual gambling. The new regulatory and licensing regime is expected to lay the foundation for the expansion of Ireland’s gambling industry.