Ireland is to introduce online gambling regulations next spring, Minster for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter has announced.
The country’s existing laws date back to 1931 in the case of betting and 1956 for gaming. New legislation will deal with online and other forms of remote betting and gaming. It will also take into account the "blurring of the lines" between betting and gambling, particularly in the online sector.
"The government agreed with me that it was long past time for a full and comprehensive revision of our gambling laws," explained Shatter. "The shortcomings in the current law, for example the absence of any regulation of online gambling, are exposing young people and other vulnerable persons to unacceptable risks."
The Exchequer, he added, is being "short changed" by the absence of a taxation regime for online and remote gambling.
A full draft of the legislation is expected to be presented to the government in the spring of next year for approval.
