Ireland’s President Michael D. Higgins has enacted the long-anticipated Gambling Regulation Act, marking the culmination of a four-year journey towards this reform. Passed by the Irish parliament last month, this legislation brings a new regulatory structure to the gambling industry and establishes the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) as the central authority to oversee these changes.
The new regulator, the GRAI, will be led by CEO-designate Anne Marie Caulfield, who will work alongside an eight-member board. Candidate interviews are expected to begin shortly, following the close of the application period this week. The GRAI will focus on implementing key components of the legislation, including the introduction of a Social Impact Fund. This fund, supported by levies on the gambling industry, aims to promote educational initiatives and state-provided treatment services for gambling addiction.
The act introduces several vital measures aimed at protecting public health and supporting problem gamblers. Key provisions include a ban on using credit cards for gambling, restrictions on advertising, and limitations on bonuses. While the legislation stops short of a complete advertising ban – as some senators had advocated – it does create a national self-exclusion programme for those struggling with gambling addiction.
Late-stage amendments further empower the GRAI, allowing it to publicly disclose regulatory breaches and sanctions imposed on licensees. Additionally, the regulator can now seek court orders to block advertisements from unlicensed gambling operators, further strengthening the oversight of the sector.
James Browne, Minister of State, praised the enactment of the bill, noting it as a landmark piece of legislation. “We’ve worked hard over four years to regulate a multi-billion-euro industry that has long been the Wild West,” Browne commented. “For too long, a lack of regulation has led to lives being destroyed by gambling addiction and financial losses. This legislation prioritises public health.”
Barry Grant, a gambling addiction counsellor with Extern Problem Gambling, welcomed the act, calling it a “huge step forward.” Grant noted that these regulatory changes will bring much-needed support to those affected by gambling issues across Ireland.
Meanwhile, Booming Games has announced a major partnership with Hollywoodbets, one of Africa’s top gaming operators. This collaboration marks a significant step for both companies as they bring Booming Games’ full portfolio of slot games to South Africa’s dynamic online gaming market.
Through this partnership, Booming Games and Hollywoodbets aim to offer South African players a diverse and engaging range of slot titles. Both companies are confident that this collaboration will deliver top-tier gaming experiences tailored to the preferences of local players.
Solomon Godwin, Booming Games’ Head of Africa, said: “Hollywoodbets exemplifies the calibre of tier-one clients we aim to work with in Africa. This partnership aligns perfectly with our growth ambitions for the region,” he said.
Wayde Dorkin, Head of Product at Hollywoodbets, added: “We’re thrilled to bring Booming Games’ innovative slot content to our platform. We anticipate a strong response from our players and look forward to launching some exclusive new content for the South African market.”
Earlier, Booming Games secured certification from Brazil’s Secretariat of Evaluation, Planning, Energy, and Lottery.
