Ireland ushers in “new era” as regulator becomes operational
Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan signs parts of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 and announces seven members of governing body Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) is set to commence operations and begin overseeing the newly regulated gambling market on the Emerald Isle tomorrow, 5 March.
The vital step comes after Minister of Justice Jim O’Callaghan signed parts of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, after the act was passed last year.
Alongside that, O’Callaghan announced the seven members who will make up GRAI, to be chaired by Paul Quinn.
The members begin their roles tomorrow and will be responsible for regulating the sector in Ireland, including making decisions on licences and regulatory punishments.
Ireland’s Gambling Regulation Bill passed last October after approval from both Houses of the Oireachtas and the Dáil. Its aim is to set out a modern and robust licensing and regulatory framework in Ireland.
Some of the incoming regulation changes include an advertising ban between 5.30am and 9pm as well as a ban on inducements such as free bets, VIP schemes and free credit and hospitality for players.
Commenting on the “new era” of gambling in Ireland, O’Callaghan said the reforms will provide greater clarity to operators and consumers and “meet the challenges of gambling” in today’s Ireland.
He said: “The establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland is a further step towards replacing Ireland’s outdated gambling laws with a streamlined and simplified licensing framework, which will reflect the nature of modern gambling and take into account the harms associated with problem gambling, providing safeguards to protect people from those harms, especially children.
“It 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.”
Quinn, the former CEO for the Office of Government Procurement, will serve as chair and sit as the most senior GRAI figure with CEO Anne-Marie Caulfield.
The Irish government also named Irish Banking Culture Board CEO and board member Marion Kelly and Health Products Regulatory Authority deputy CEO Rita Purcell to the initial board.
They will be joined by the Community Foundation of Ireland’s financial controller David Hickson, barrister Michael McGrath, former Broadcasting Authority of Ireland CEO Celine Craig and HSE’s Mid-West Addiction Services clinical lead Colin O’Driscoll.
O’Callaghan added: “I warmly congratulate Mr Paul Quinn on his appointment as chair of the new Authority and each of the newly appointed Authority members and wish them well in their new roles.
“The newly appointed members will now join CEO Anne-Marie Caulfield and her staff in commencing the Authority’s operations and legislative powers, on a phased basis.
“I understand that this includes, as a priority, work on progressing the licensing process, with a view to inviting applications for some licence types within the coming year.”
GRAI CEO Caulfield welcomed the seven members of the regulator, and thanked ministers, Oireachtas members and government officials for their work in creating the body.
She said: “I look forward to fulfilling our mandate and delivering a safe, well-regulated and transparent sector, with consumer protection at its core.”