Officials in Northern Ireland are ready to drastically make changes in the country’s gaming industry. Deirdre Hargey, Community Minister, announced last week that the nation is moving ahead to update its gambling regulations.
It has been 35 years since any significant changes have been made in the industry. Sports betting, lotteries and fixed-odd betting terminals were legalized in the country under the Northern Ireland Betting, Gaming, Lotteries, and Amusements Order of 1985.
Hargey said, “Gambling Legislation has remained largely unchanged since it was enacted 35 years ago. As a result, gambling regulation here has not kept pace with the industry and technological changes. In my view, change is long overdue. ”
A consultation was held in 2019 by the Department of Communities to discuss the gaming law and strong support was found to change the regulations of the industry.
Expected gaming changes
Despite being a part of the UK, Northern Ireland has its own rules and regulations when it comes to the gambling industry. The rest of the country in the UK follows Gambling Act 2005 to enact all its gambling activities. But, Northern Ireland does not ratify the UK’s gambling regulations.
Hargay says, “The first phase of adjusting gaming laws will include the formation of a gaming commission that will oversee all aspects of gambling in Northern Ireland.”
“Lawmakers and the commission will be tasked with updating the gambling code, including setting new penalties for regulatory violations. The gaming commission is expected to have an enforcement division that i’ll possess powers to take enforcement action against operators found out of compliance.”
Currently betting shops in Northern Ireland are only monitored by Police Services.
Hargay also adds that certain restrictions imposed in the 1955 Act will also be relaxed, especially the prohibition of betting shops operating on Sundays. Operators have argued for a long time that closing betting shops on Sundays have caused them overwhelming loss because the majority of the sports events are scheduled on Sundays.
Brian Graham from Sean Graham, a leading bookmaker in the country commented, “There are so many major sporting events that take place on Sunday, from Wimbledon finals to Premier League football. This has driven people online because you couldn’t have a bet in a betting shop.”
He also adds, “Ourselves and other bookmakers have been crying out about illegal gambling that’s been happening in Northern Ireland.”
Phase 2 of changing the gaming industry
Hargey claims that the first phase involves making changes in the land based casino’s regulations. The second phase will more precisely focus on the regulation of online gambling.
Northern Ireland 1985, does not mention any regulation for online gambling since the internet was not in sight during the period.
Hargey states, “The pragmatic approach I am taking will mean that we deliver some much-needed change in the short term, while simultaneously ensuring that complex areas of regulation and online gambling are given the time and consideration they need.”
The second phase of changing the gambling regulation will also introduce sports betting and betting sites in Northern Ireland.
