Northern Ireland Votes to Bring Gambling Regulations in Line With the Rest of the UK

Stormont MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly) have moved to bring Northern Ireland’s gambling regulations in line with the rest of the UK, but face opposition from some parties.

In 2005, the UK launched the Gambling Act to govern the industry, but Northern Ireland opted out, deciding to stick with the outdated Betting, Gaming, Lotteries, and Amusements Order of 1985.

The online gambling industry in Northern Ireland had remained largely unregulated causing uncertainty in the market. Online gambling analyst Andreea Stanescu explains that offshore casino alternatives have grown in popularity as consumers look to safe and regulated online betting options.

Many of these offshore betting options provide enticing benefits and bonuses as well as a variety of payment methods. External licensing provides security as operators must work to well-defined guidelines. (Source: https://www.cardplayer.com/ca/online-casinos)

The UK’s gambling industry is widely recognised as one of the best in the world thanks to the clarity provided by its regulatory framework. It is believed that Northern Ireland will benefit from updated gambling regulations that bring it in line with Great Britain.

Despite moves to upgrade regulations, the Gambling Levy that is set to be implemented later in the year will not come into place in Northern Ireland. The levy would secure regular payments towards a fund that goes towards research and education around the potentially harmful effects of gambling.

Opposition to the new regulations believes that they should only be implemented when a similar levy is implemented in the country. However, Gordon Lyons, the communities minister, believes the changes will help with all aspects of the gambling industry.

One of the main changes that will protect potentially vulnerable consumers is the introduction of a new offence targeted at operators who allow or invite under-18s access to high-stakes gambling machines. FOBTs (fixed odds betting terminals) would also be limited with a maximum £2 stake.

The discussion surrounding the levy is likely to rumble on for some time. However, the benefit of the introduction of the tax in Great Britain is that ministers will be able to see the benefits and drawbacks first-hand. If a decision is to be made about its potential introduction in Northern Ireland, it is likely that it will come after the UK levy has been in place long enough to see the results.

Another potential change that could come from updated legislation is the implementation of land-based casinos in the country. At present, brick-and-mortar casinos are outlawed in the country, but new legislation could pave the way for discussions about land-based operations.

While it is perfectly legal for Northern Irish bettors to access online casinos, the lack of land-based facilities has seen a surge in illegal operations. Allowing strictly regulated operations in the country could give governing bodies more control over in-person gambling in the country, helping to protect consumers and generate more revenue streams that could be directed back into communities.