Northern Ireland kicks off gambling law reform with first stage bill

Legislators in Northern Ireland have triggered the first stage in a wholesale reform of Northern Irish gambling regulation with the introduction of the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Bill into the Northern Ireland Assembly. Changes were deemed necessary as current laws were seen by many as archaic and in need of reform to reflect the times, such as the everyday use of mobile phones and personal computers, and the availability of online offshore options. The bill creates new offences in allowing children to play gaming machines. Previously, it was not an offence to permit an underage person to gamble. The legal age for playing such machines has been raised to 18. Among the other changes are the creation of a mandatory code of practice for licence holders, broadening the definition of cheating to include attempted cheating and making gambling contracts enforceable in law. As part of the reform, bookmakers and bingo clubs will now be allowed to open on Sundays and Good Friday. This is in line with research by the Department for Communities (DfC) back in 2019, which launched a consultation with the public and other stakeholders on the effectiveness of the current legislation at the time. It showed that 66% of respondents thought bookmaker hours should be relaxed, particularly around allowing them to operate on Sundays. The same research also showed 93% were in favour of establishing a regulatory body for gambling in Northern Ireland. The statutory levy on gambling operators in a similar way to that used in England, where monies raised are used for community projects and the treatment of those suffering from problem gambling. An overhaul of online gambling legislation will form a second phase of the changes to Northern Ireland’s gambling laws and will take place after further discussions and research. Communities minister Deirdre Hargey explained the two-phase approach by saying: “The pragmatic approach I am taking will mean that we deliver some much-needed change in the short term, while simultaneously ensuring that complex areas of regulation and online gambling are given the time and consideration they need.”