If it managed to address the regulatory challenges and provide a responsible arena for the development of remote gaming, Ireland could 'position itself as a gaming friendly centre of excellence.'
There is currently no specific legislation in Ireland directed at the regulation of remote gambling. Instead, remote gambling is governed by legislation of general application to both online and offline activity. Irish law on gaming and lotteries is principally contained in the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956.
Maire Conneely, senior associate partner at A&L Goodbody, told iNTERGAMINGi recently: "The absence of a regulatory framework for online gambling in Ireland is the single biggest issue facing the industry. However, the absence of such a regulatory framework has not deterred operators from establishing support services for their gambling operations in Ireland."
The Irish Government has signalled that it intends to reform Ireland’s gambling laws and the report of the Casino Regulation Committee published in July 2008 pointed to a "window of opportunity" for Ireland vis-à-vis the regulation of remote gaming.
"In it they expressed the view that if Ireland managed (within a limited timescale) to address the regulatory challenges posed by remote gamingand to provide a socially responsible and secure arena for the development of remote gaming based in Ireland, it could position itself as a gaming friendly centre of excellence, therefore attracting a reasonable portion of this dynamic industry, and yielding significant synergistic benefits, as well as employment opportunities for Ireland," said Conneely.
According to Conneely, it remains to be seen whether or not the "window of opportunity" is still open, however. If the government was to proceed with its proposed reforms in the near future it would likely result in opening the entire gambling market in Ireland.
