49 PUBLIC GAMING INTERNATIONAL • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024 to balancing the freedom to gamble with the safeguards to protect people from falling prey to addiction. This Bill provides a clear framework for operators and for consumers. Ireland: Gambling Regulation Act Enacted Two weeks ago, Dublin People covered the historic passing of the Gambling Regulation Act through Leinster House. Within the last two weeks the legislation has been enacted by President Michael D. Higgins and Dublin People spoke to two of the leading people who were instrumental in seeing the legislation come to pass. Speaking to Dublin People the day after the legislation had been enacted Minister of State James Browne TD, who coordinated the legislation through Leinster House over the last 4 years, said: “I was very relieved that it was passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas and the President has now signed it into law. “It has been a lot of work over 4 years. It’s a very complex piece of legislation – one of the biggest passed by the Dáil in the last 4 years, with 270 sections. “We are regulating a multi-billion Euro industry that so far really has not been regulated at all. “Gambling has very much been the Wild West in this country for way too long and that has had real consequences for people having had their lives often destroyed as a result of gambling addiction and suffering serious losses as a result of problem gambling. “We came at this from a public health perspective to not simply regulate a massive industry but also making sure that that industry was regulated from a perspective of protecting the general public; problem gamblers and people with serious gambling addictions as well”. Also speaking recently to Dublin People on the enactment of the act Barry Grant, a gambling addiction counsellor and advocate with Extern Problem Gambling, said: “It’s great news and it’s a huge relief to see it get over the line especially as seen as we are so close to a general election. “It’s great to see Minister James Browne put a huge amount of work into making sure that the Gambling Regulation Act was enacted. “This is a huge step forward because we have been waiting and campaigning for a long time to see that happen so it’s a great piece of news to see this finally finished.” Central to the implementation of the legislation is the incoming Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland GRAI under the direction of CEO-designate Ms. Anne Marie Caulfield and her to be 8-person board. The authority will oversee a wide range of areas in seeing that the new law is implemented, including the bringing in and maintenance of a Social Impact Fund from levies on the gambling industry to fund State awareness– raising and educational measures and State gambling treatment services. Asked as to whether he agrees with the calls for the State and not the gambling industry to be the primary provider of these services Minister James Browne told Dublin People: “Absolutely. “I want to see the State providing those resources and I think with this levy the regulatory authority will have those funds to be able to support those types of programmes. “The word “education” is very much there in the legislation to be used by this levy funding and that will be I think very important”. Ireland considers ban on bookies taking bets on the National Lottery. Bookies accepting bets on National Lottery draws is outlawed in most other EU countries as it erodes money available for Good Causes and Retail Agent’s commission. In Ireland, the operator of the National Lottery estimates that Lottery Betting reduces Good Causes and Retailer Commissions by over 20% per annum – and reduces footfall into retail outlets with a loss of other sales. If you want to see Ireland follow most other EU states by banning Lottery Betting, then let your local TD or Senator know. With a General Election coming, they are likely to be all ears. The Ukrainian Gambling Council (UGC) has asked Google to stop blocking the advertising of licensed gambling operators in the country. The industry association said that its ad blocking is not required under Ukrainian legislation and was causing losses for businesses as well as in terms of tax revenue for the country itself. Austrian Lotteries win EL Innovation Award 2024: Innovative player protection suite stands out as a model of responsibility The EL Innovation Awards once again celebrate Europe's forward-thinking lottery innovations. This year’s winner - Austrian Lotteries – was awarded for their exceptional ‘’Hybrid Player Protection Suite’’. By using cutting-edge AI and machine learning proactive harm prevention strategies, the Suite is designed to create a safer and more controlled gaming environment, putting the well-being of players at the forefront while still delivering an engaging lottery experience. Combining the power of AI with human experience and scientific knowledge, Austrian Lotteries' approach for this campaign is based on their longstanding commitment to responsible gaming. "On the occasion of the EL Innovation Seminar in Rotterdam, I am delighted to award – on behalf of the jury - the top Innovation Award to Austrian Lotteries’’, says Arjan van ‘t Veer, EL Secretary General and President of the Jury. "This system ensures that player protection is central to every step of the customer journey, demonstrating that lotteries can be a force for good and benefit society. This innovation stands out as a model of responsibility’’. The award ceremony took place during the EL Innovation Seminar (9-11 October) in Rotterdam, hosted by Nederlandse Loterij. National Lottery operator Allwyn has introduced limits for retailers in order to boost player protection. New rules mean players will only be allowed to buy 10 UK National Lottery scratchcards at a time in shops. Lottery operator Allwyn has introduced the limit for retailers in order to boost player protection. A spokesman said: “The vast majority of in-store players already buy fewer than the new scratchcards limit, but this new safeguard will further minimise the likelihood of any excessive play. This is the latest step in our plans to grow The National Lottery responsibly and generate even more money for Good Cause projects, by encouraging more people to play a little.” Veikkaus Oy enters a partnership agreement with the NHL: Veikkaus has a long-standing, successful and comprehensive partnership with Finnish ice hockey. With this new agreement, Veikkaus’ extensive ice hockey content offering will expand even further to cover the NHL games played in the United States and Canada. The NHL is the second most popular league in Veikkaus’ Betting, just after the domestic Liiga, based on the number of customers. With the newly signed partnership, Veikkaus’ channels will gain even more highquality and engaging NHL sports content, which is of great interest to Veikkaus’ Finnish customers. Allwyn International a.s. relocates headquarters to Switzerland Fennica Gaming Expands Its Horizons - Crafting the Future of British EGM (Electronic Gaming Machine) Cabinets for Merkur and Blueprint President Marcos orders immediate ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators
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