- New law would increase protection over children and young, while relaxing advertising restrictions.
- Regulation will not affect online gambling.
Northern Ireland’s Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced that the Executive will introduce a new law to regulate gambling. The changes are not thought likely to affect online poker.
The current legal framework, the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries & Amusements (NI) Order 1985 was written to regulate betting on tracks and in bookmaking offices, gaming machines, bingo clubs and lotteries.
Mr McCausland explained: “It is necessary to update the current gambling laws in order to address the rapidly changing gambling environment that exists today; changes are also required to ensure that our law complies with relevant EU provisions.”
A review of the law in 2009 was followed up by a public consultation in 2011. The word poker does not appear at all in the consultation responses. Betfair, Ladbrokes and Paddy Power were the only major online poker operators who responded to the consultation.
The 2009 review identified that problem gambling was particularly prevalent in Northern Ireland with approximately 2% of the population being identified as problem gamblers. The rate of problem gambling was determined from a survey using the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI).
The proposals will increase protections for children and young people and make bets placed in bookmakers offices legally binding contracts. Promotional prize draws will be legalized and advertising restrictions reduced. The region will also adopt the gaming machine categories and standards currently used in Great Britain. Bricks and mortar casinos will remain banned.
The idea of creating a new regulator was considered but rejected so there are no plans to set up a new licensing body for online operators. Poker players should be unaffected by the new laws.
Although Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom, it is largely self-governing and operates a separate legal system. Gambling regulation is the responsibility of the elected members of the Northern Ireland Assembly and implemented by its administrative arm, the Northern Ireland Executive.