Northern Ireland set to reform gambling laws with a new bill

Minister Deidre Hargey introduced the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Bill in September 2021, and it has now reached the end of the first consideration stage.

The Minister has said that this amendment bill should be seen as the first phase in wider reform in Northern Ireland and should be regarded as the start of reform, not the end of it.

This bill will look to liberalise some areas of gambling regulation, such as high street betting shops and bingo halls to open on Sundays and Bank Holidays, while also bringing in some more protections to help those individuals with gambling problems.

The bill has just concluded its first consideration stage and will have a further consideration stage before the final stage and royal assent.

There is a race against time for the bill to be pushed through as there is a deadline of March 5 2022, for bills to be passed as there are elections to the assembly on May 5 2022.

Commenting on the need for this bill, Minister Hargey said: “Overhauling our gambling legislation is something that I believe is very important, and I was determined to deliver change during my time as Communities Minister.

“This Bill is proposing the first substantial changes to gambling law here in nearly 40 years and I am pleased I have been able to get it to this stage. It is the first stage of reform.”

Hargey went on to say about how much benefit this bill could have to those in the community, saying: “”I also wanted to use the opportunity this Bill provides to support the efforts of local charities, sports clubs and other voluntary groups to raise more money for good causes in our community.”

This bill will also allow for the creation of industry codes of practice to be introduced alongside an industry levy. The levy could up the possibility of more funding in the future to help those who have been affected by, or are at risk of, gambling-related harm.