Gambling regulator will vet executives of top betting firms as part of licensing process
Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) chief executive Anne Marie Caulfield said that as part of its enforcement regime the organisation intends to use its 'full toolkit' to ensure the public is protected from betting firms that prey on addicts. Picture: Conor McCabe/GRAI
Ireland’s new gambling regulator has said she will vet executives of top gambling firms as part of its licensing process, and warned there will be “very severe penalties” for companies that flout the rules.
In an interview with the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) chief executive Anne Marie Caulfield said that as part of its enforcement regime the organisation intends to use its “full toolkit” to ensure the public is protected from betting firms that prey on addicts.
“It ranges from a notice of improvement to a €20m fine, or 10% of turnover — whichever is greatest — to a suspension of a licence, revoking a licence and, in terms of the particular officers, key decision makers, there can also be consequences for them,” Ms Caulfied said.
The regulator is responsible for ensuring betting firms adhere to safeguards put in place for problem gamblers and restrictions on advertising and other activities.
Ms Caulfield also said new licencing requirements for charities, and organisations such as GAA clubs, offering lotteries and raffles, will not kick in for a few years, but they will eventually place a €2,000 limit on the prize money that can be offered for these lotteries and raffles.
Earlier this month, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) was formally established and its board appointed by the Minister for Justice, although work had been ongoing from Ms Caulfield and her team for well over a year prior to the required legislation being passed.
Along with licencing gambling activities in the State, the regulator will be responsible for establishing a national gambling exclusion register, administering a social impact fund, and handling complaints.
Ms Caulfield said there is ample evidence on the prevalence of problem gambling in Ireland.
A study by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has shown that one in 10 people in Ireland report significant or moderate harm from gambling, while 47% of companies’ turnover comes from such bettors.
“Another thing that’s very worrying and does really justify clamping down very hard is children and gambling,” she said.
She also pointed to a study on the link between suicide and problem gambling, which found 23 deaths where gambling was noted by the coroner in a death by probable suicide.
“We have met with numerous people with lived experience, and it is so devastating, not just for the individuals, but also for their families,” she said.
“It really does reinforce the fact that we've been given a very responsible role, and it's important, we owe to those people to do our job properly, and we'll certainly be making every effort to do that over the coming years.”
Further research that she expects to see published this year includes the impact of inducements, or free bets, offered by bookies, and another on “consumption patterns”.
Ms Caulfield said her organisation would be monitoring developments in gambling advertising, when asked about the likes of former sports stars giving interviews to gambling companies that are then issued as press releases to try to pick up media coverage.
She said that powers exist under the legislation to make new regulations that keep up with developments in the industry.
“So, for example, there can be warnings with regard to something akin to what you’d have on financial services products. Warnings about potential losses, directing people to areas where they can get assistance and help.
“There are different measures, further measures, that can be taken by the authority. So that is an area that will be looked at in due course.”
