Ireland passes Gambling Regulation Bill
After several years in development, Ireland’s Gambling Regulation Bill has successfully passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas. Initially introduced to Dáil Éireann in December 2022, the bill paves the way for the creation of Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. This new body will oversee the licensing and regulation of the country’s gambling and betting industry.
This marks the first comprehensive piece of gambling legislation in Ireland since 1956. The new law introduces a range of measures designed to modernise and control the sector. For instance, gambling advertisements will be banned between 5:30am and 9pm. A Social Impact Fund will be established to promote awareness, and steps will be taken to combat the black market. The bill also prohibits inducements and sets up a National Gambling Exclusion Register to support those affected by gambling addiction.
Before becoming law, the bill now awaits consideration from President Michael D Higgins.
James Browne, Minister of State at the Department of Justice, expressed his satisfaction with the passage of the legislation. “This long-overdue bill represents years of hard work from myself and dedicated Department officials. It introduces a straightforward licensing framework that reflects today’s gambling landscape, particularly in light of the rise in online gambling and advertising,” he said. “At its heart, this is a public health initiative, focused on safeguarding our citizens, especially the younger and more vulnerable members of society, from gambling-related harm.”
Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO Designate of the new Gambling Regulatory Authority, also welcomed the bill’s passage. She noted that although much preparatory work has already been done, the authority will adopt a phased approach to implementing its responsibilities, starting with licensing. “As we establish this regulatory regime for Ireland’s gambling sector, our priority is ensuring that license holders comply with the law and that robust measures are in place to tackle problem gambling,” she said. “We are committed to working closely with stakeholders throughout this process.”
1Spin4Win teams up with EveryMatrix to expand its global reach
1spin4win has formed a new partnership with EveryMatrix to expand its reach on the international stage. Through EveryMatrix’s CasinoEngine platform, 1spin4win’s collection of over 100 classic slot games will now be available to a wider audience. The gaming studio, which releases at least three new games each month, has already worked with more than 400 clients and is set to make a bigger impact in the iGaming sector.
EveryMatrix, known for its software solutions in online casinos, sports betting, payments, and affiliate management, caters to both Tier 1 global operators and new brands. Its flexible and compliant software allows operators to integrate a mix of third-party and in-house technologies. With this partnership, 1spin4win joins a roster of over 355 providers on CasinoEngine, which boasts a vast selection of more than 36,000 online casino games. This offers operators and players access to a diverse range of content.
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This year, 1spin4win has also joined forces with Atlas-IAC, a prominent B2B software provider for online gaming operators.
Finland’s regulated online gambling market may launch sooner than anticipated
Finland’s plan to launch a competitive regulated online gambling market, initially delayed to 2027, might now happen sooner. A cross-party steering committee is reviewing the proposed legislation this week and aims to submit it to the European Commission (EC) next month.
If the government moves ahead as planned, the proposal could reach the EC three months earlier than expected. Approval might then come by mid-2025, paving the way for a swifter market launch.
The draft law, published in July for public consultation, has faced criticism from industry players. Many warn that the market’s structure could be too restrictive, potentially limiting healthy competition and hindering a smooth transition to licensed operators.
One major point of contention is the proposed ban on affiliate and social media marketing. The European Gaming and Betting Association has cautioned that such a ban could weaken the position of licensed operators, making them less competitive.
Key decisions are expected this week, including the launch date and whether private operators will be allowed to offer horse race betting or if this will remain a monopoly. The horse racing industry itself supports opening the market to licensed operators, hoping this will boost its financial situation.
Earlier, a survey revealed that underage gambling remains a concern in Finland.
