Northern Ireland (Not) About to Update Its Gambling Legislation

Northern Ireland has one of the oldest gambling and betting laws in the EU. Named the '1985 Order on Betting, Gaming, Lotteries, and Amusements', it has been amended since its adoption but the amendments have fallen behind the reality. With the strong development of the online betting and gambling market, many European and worldwide countries are trying to follow the ongoing changes and update their legislation; Northern Ireland is no exception.

Still, with different ideological viewpoints shaping the political environment, the representatives sitting at Stormont have a diverse stance on the matter of gambling and betting legislation. What's more, the emergence of numerous European casino sites registered in other countries but available to the Northern Irish people only adds new variables to the equation.

Sinn Fein - which won the largest number of seats at the Northern Ireland Assembly in the 2022 national election - highlighted in April that they wouldn't support the Government's Gambling Bill. In the words of its representatives, such a law would put charities and sports clubs in a more difficult position. Democratic Unionist Party, as the second-best party in Stormont, has a similar stance on the question of gambling and betting, with divided opinions on the matter of sports clubs and community organisations.

A unison, bipartisan decision has been made within the NI Assembly that the old law needs to be updated as soon as possible. They have two main goals thereof: preparing a bill that wouldn't restrict the economic potential of this sector while at the same time ensuring that punters get a secure law. In line with that, an All-Party Group has been formed, with the aim of proposing measures that would advocate responsible gambling and betting. As a matter of fact, vivid consultations have been being held at Stormont ever since 2019, aimed at gathering insights, opinions, and statistical data of all relevant niche stakeholders. The end goal was to set up a bill and consequently bring the law that would address most of the burning issues in this industry at this time.

One of the conclusions of the previous session of the NI Assembly was that it would take a major overhaul of several Northern Ireland laws prior to bringing adequate 21st-century gambling and betting laws. Related to the issue of sports clubs above, if the law is to restrict their earnings, the relevant law on sports (and) clubs would have to be altered.

Moreover, a plentitude of iGaming options is available to NI punters, from crypto betting sites to different European lottery games to offshore casinos. None of the above is properly regulated in Northern Ireland. Still, many Northern Irish folks place bets on such platforms, investing assets abroad. A comprehensive law would prescribe exact tax regulations, leaving no room for doubt and disputes between the state authorities and stake-winners.

Apart from that, voices can be heard that call for allowing the foundation of iGaming businesses and platforms in Northern Ireland. Such a legal framework would inspire various domestic and international companies to register their offices in Ulster. With straightforward and community-oriented details, this law would additionally budget the local economy, bringing tangible financial benefits. In addition to the existing amusement permit framework, this legislation would give an extra nudge to this industry.

For the time being, gambling providers and punters can only wait for the legal authorities to start adapting several laws and lay the ground for a new Northern Ireland gambling and betting law.