Ireland-based Charity Urges Operators For Initiative Against Problem Gambling

Published: 30/04/2020 | Last Updated: 07/05/2020

Ireland Charity Urges Operators For Initiative Against Problem Gambling

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Gambling is one of the Irish people’s favorite entertainments, and it is buried deep in the country’s culture. When the quarantines were implemented because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Irish gamblers looked for new ways to gamble. The online gambling industry of the country gained a large number of new memberships.

The rising popularity of online gambling in the country alarmed a charity for problem gamblers, and they now urge operators to start an initiative that protects the citizens from problem gambling.

Legal Gambling in Ireland

Ireland is known for horse and greyhound rising and other forms of gambling activities like casinos, bingo, and sports betting. The gambling industry in the country is backed by different statutes and laws dated back to the 18th century.

Currently, the Irish people spend billions of Euros in land-based gambling venues and online gaming and betting activities since they are allowed to participate in almost all forms of gambling.

Legal control of Ireland’s gambling industry started in 1956 when its legislators established the Gaming and Lottery Act. The Act paved way to the legalization of casino gambling in the territory. Private member gaming clubs were established after the gambling industry saw loopholes in the law.

The clubs filled the gap when casinos were illegalized. The Act became the basis of every legal gambling operation in the country.

Ireland has no strong casino industry despite being legal since 2000. Gambling operations in the country are divided into two categories, which are betting and lotteries and gaming. The industry continued to develop because it was reviewed, and there are reforms implemented.

Some provisions in the Act of 1956 were technically applied to operations of online gambling. The online gambling industry still needs a stinger legislature to be fully regulated.

Problem Gambling Ireland concerned with online gambling’s growing popularity

The charity asked big-time gambling operators in the country to implement strict deposit and spending limits for gamblers to protect them from overspending and addiction during the duration of the covid-19 pandemic.

Problem Gambling Ireland urged CEOs of known online gambling platforms, including Paddy Power/Betfair, BoyleSports, Ladbrokes, and other gambling operators, to start an initiative because of the threat that online gambling brings while regulated gambling venues were closed.

Barry Grant, chief executive and founder of Problem Gambling Ireland, said that live sport is extremely limited at the moment, and gamblers are attracted to virtual sports, online slots, and casino gambling.

The CEO noted that other European countries, including Latvia, Lithuania, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal, have started their strict measures on online gambling, which includes restrictions on online gambling advertisements.

Latvia included the ban of online gambling in its emergency coronavirus bill, while the UK urged its five largest gambling platforms to implement extra steps to protect gamblers.

Mr.Grant reported an increase of 67% in online gambling spending in Australia in recent weeks. He also explained that online betting is more addictive than traditional betting since the latter closes at night, and players needed to go home while online gambling accepts players 24/7.