The bill, which was approved by the Cabinet last year, will introduce strict regulation of gambling advertising, with a watershed – including online ads – between 5.30am and 9pm.
Minister for Law Reform James Browne is leading the introduction of a Bill that has sparked huge debate in Irish sporting circles, amid fears that any sport with links to betting sponsorship will be banned from broadcast when the new regulations become law in the spring of 2024.
The bill, which was approved by the Cabinet last year, will introduce strict regulation of gambling advertising, with a watershed – including online ads – between 5.30am and 9pm.
That led to claims from betting companies and sporting authorities that horse racing television channels may have to cease their operations in Ireland, while the threat of Premier League football being removed from our screens also appeared real, given the sponsorship deals many top-flight clubs in the UK have with betting companies.
The Paddy Power World Darts Championship, a staple of Christmas television, has included vivid betting branding, while Katie Taylor’s fight against Chantelle Cameron in Dublin last month also had gambling advertising around the ring.
Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and betting companies have expressed their deep concerns over the Gambling Regulation Bill. In its current incarnation, it could be concluded that any form of betting advertising would appear to be blocked from broadcast.
The fear is that gambling advertising on football shirts and branding at the side of race tracks may all fall foul of the proposed Bill, which could see the Premier League and the Cheltenham Festival removed from our screens.
The Bill includes the establishment of The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), a new statutory body that will be responsible for the licensing and regulation of gambling services here.
This new legislation will repeal existing laws and will streamline the approach to the licensing and regulation of gambling in Ireland.
It was confirmed in September that there would be no special exemptions for horse racing in the final draft of the Bill after Minister Browne held meetings with concerned officials from HRI and the Association of Irish Racecourses.
That raised fears of a wider broadcasting blackout of sports with links to gambling sponsorship.
But the Minister says his proposals are targeting betting advertising and not sponsorship deals that are already in place.
“Of course, the government is not banning football matches from Irish TV,” he told the Sunday World.
“Proper regulation of the gambling industry is long overdue and I am committed to delivering this legislation.
“There is no ban on any sport or the broadcasting of sports like horse racing or Premier League matches.
Fans will still be able to watch Premier League games. Photo: Getty
“However, there will be a restriction preventing advertising that promotes gambling on television, radio and audio-visual media services between 5.30am and 9pm.
“This was a strong recommendation of the all-party Oireachtas Justice Committee and then approved by the cabinet.
“We have restrictions on alcohol advertising on the grounds of public health. Tobacco advertising and sponsorship is also banned. The gambling industry cannot insulate itself from reform or expect special status.
“I will stare down any scare tactics aimed at scuppering much-needed regulation and deliver this public health legislation early in the new year.”
The strong words from Minister Browne come after betting companies warned of the hugely damaging impact the Gambling Regulation Bill could have if comprehensive amendments are not made.
Yet we understand the final draft will offer clearer guidance that will ensure sports broadcasts can continue in Ireland, with the focus of the legislation to remove gambling advertising from our screens.
The Bill will end betting adverts during sporting events and at any point between the proposed 15-and-a-half hour window, but it will not block visual or even verbal references to betting or odds during a broadcast.
So the Paddy Power World Darts Championship can continue to be shown in Ireland and the pre-match displaying of odds on the screen within the studio analysis will also be allowed as it will fall under a clause that will allow the display of ‘factual information’.
It also means a match between West Ham and Aston Villa in the Premier League, with both teams sponsored by betting companies, will not be blocked from our TV screens.
Incitement to bet or any encouragement to bet may breach the new regulations, but horse racing channels will be allowed to display odds before, during and after races. However, they will not be permitted to use screen advertising from betting companies between races.
Government officials have met with Sky Sports and Virgin Media Sport chiefs to assure them that they will not be blocked from honouring broadcasting deals, which could have had huge breach of contract implications and, more significantly, a potentially catastrophic impact on their subscriber numbers.
Sky Sports recently confirmed that they have signed a contract extension to screen the majority of Premier League matches as part of a record £6.7billion deal that runs until 2029.
If Sky Ireland was not allowed to show matches in this country, it could have resulted in a legal minefield for both the government and the broadcaster, but that confusion looks set to be removed.
The Gambling Regulation Bill focuses on broadcast restrictions and is not expected to impact advertising in print newspapers.
The National Lottery will not be covered by the new legislation and will remain separately regulated.