Northern Ireland’s long overdue upgrade of its betting legislation took a major step forward last month by reaching the first stage of the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Bill is designed to enact the biggest changes to gaming legislation in Northern Ireland in over 35 years. The amendments to the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 would make wholesale changes to betting operations in the country, whilst launching a new statutory levy investing in measures to improve responsible gaming and protect vulnerable customers.
Back in May 2021, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey insisted that legislative reform to Northern Ireland’s betting laws was “long overdue”. Two years ago, the Department for Communities launched a consultation on its existing betting laws and discovered “strong support” for establishing an independent betting regulator for Northern Ireland.
The Amendment Bill is now one of seven stages down the line of being approved and passed into law by Stormont. Time is of the essence, with the bill having to be passed prior to the expiry of the Assembly’s current mandate next year. The Amendment Bill is dubbed as ‘phase one’ of two in terms of reforming Northern Ireland’s betting legislation.
What can we expect from the initial phase of amendments to Northern Ireland’s betting laws?
One of the most significant amendments in this initial phase is to permit land-based bingo halls and betting shops to open on Bank Holidays and Sundays – including Good Friday. This alone should bring significant commercial benefits to the Northern Irish betting industry. We’ve already touched upon the formation of a new statutory levy, but let’s delve deeper into its purpose. It would operate in the same way as the Betting Levy used in England. The funds raised would be used to fund initiatives for responsible betting, as well as the treatment of vulnerable bettors and the integration of programs within the Northern Irish community.
The legislature also hopes to update its Code of Practice, with a primary focus on ensuring all aspects of betting offline and online are conducted with the utmost transparency and fairness. Certainly, the latest sign-up promotions with online casino operators ring-fenced for British users are required to abide by similar rules. The Competition and Markets Authority dictates that all offers must be displayed and signposted in accordance with its guidelines, as well as UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) licensing conditions.
Aside from a revised Code of Practice, the bill will revise the nation’s pool betting system, permitting licenced bookmakers to take wagers on any pool betting business linked to a “totalisator at a licenced track”. These revisions will ensure bettors can place wagers at licenced premises via a pool betting business on the same terms and conditions as those offered at a licenced track.
Charities in Northern Ireland will also be permitted to promote and sell lottery tickets online, allowing organisations to raise more money and increase their exposure throughout the country.
The bill will also focus on the age restrictions of betting in Northern Ireland, reaffirming the minimum age of all betting machines at 18 years old. The bill will make it an offence for any venue – hospitality or otherwise – to permit underage customers from using their betting machines. In addition, providing the bill is passed through Stormont, all betting contracts will be legally enforceable. It will also expand upon the definition of cheating at betting, with the inclusion of ‘attempted’ cheating on casino, betting and lottery products.
What will the ‘second phase’ of amendments to Northern Ireland’s betting legislation include? Ms Hargey suggests that second phase will focus largely on developing a watertight and futureproof framework for regulations surrounding iGaming. Hargey admits the legislature in Northern Ireland has “not kept pace with industry and technological changes”, with the number of iGaming operators now far outstripping the number of land-based operators.
Having reached the first stage of the Northern Ireland Assembly, the bill will be debated and voted on before progressing to the committee stage. The final stages will include the bill receiving full clearance from the Secretary of State, who must present the bill for formal Royal Assent.
