Ireland Tweaks Gambling Ad Oversight Responsibility Ahead Of New Regulator Launch

Ireland is restructuring its approach to managing complaints about gambling advertisements as the country prepares to launch its new Gambling Regulatory Authority. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has announced an agreement with the incoming regulator to share responsibilities for addressing concerns about gambling ads under a revised framework.

Key Changes Under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024

The changes come as part of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, which introduces stricter gambling advertising rules. Among the new measures is a ban on betting-related advertisements on television from 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM, alongside other significant restrictions.

• Ban on TV betting ads during the watershed period

• Stricter compliance and monitoring requirements

• Shared responsibilities between ASA and the Gambling Regulatory Authority

Division of Responsibilities

The new regulatory authority, expected to begin operations next year, will oversee compliance with these laws and address complaints about violations, including breaches of the TV ad ban.

Orla Twomey, CEO of the ASA, explained that the system is designed to distinguish between different types of complaints:

• Breaches of the new Gambling Regulation Act, such as violations of the advertising watershed, will fall under the Gambling Regulatory Authority

• Complaints related to ASA’s code of standards will remain under ASA’s oversight

• Overlapping issues will be addressed through coordinated cooperation

The Role of the ASA

The ASA has long served as Ireland’s self-regulating body for advertising, enforcing standards that ensure promotions are legal, decent, and truthful. The organization works across multiple platforms, including television, digital media, cinema, and outdoor advertising.

• Focus on truthfulness and decency in ads

• Broad oversight across multiple media platforms

• Recent partnerships with film and media regulators to align standards

Collaboration and Oversight

Twomey emphasized that the partnership with the new gambling regulator would simplify public access to information about responsible gambling advertising. This collaboration builds on other recent efforts by the ASA to align with regulatory bodies.

Anne-Marie Caulfield, chief executive of the forthcoming gambling regulator, highlighted the importance of addressing public concerns promptly. She stated that the new authority is committed to ensuring that advertising practices comply with the law while fostering a safe and transparent gambling environment.

Conclusion

The updated framework reflects Ireland’s effort to adapt its oversight of gambling advertising to evolving public and regulatory expectations. By streamlining complaint handling and enforcing stricter rules, the government aims to create a safer and more accountable gambling industry.